Two letters as president by Millard Fillmore, both to General Charles Gratiot: the first, a third-person ALS as president, signed twice with his title within the text, "The President," one page both sides, 4.25 x 7, docketed January 18, 1851 on the reverse, in part: "The President has rec'd Gen'l Gratiot's letter asking a search for the lost contract with the government…unsuccessful searches have been made. It would therefore seem to be useless to repeat them. The President…is anxious to do every thing to aid him in having justice done"; and an LS as president, one page, 7.75 x 9.75, January 27, 1851, in part: "Your letter of the 20th inst., in relation to the loss of a voucher, and expressing a hope that its non production may not operate to your injury, was received…The loss cannot prejudice you, if you are able to prove its contents by copy or otherwise." In overall fine condition.
Gratiot, who had been William Henry Harrison's Chief Engineers in the War of 1812, had distinguished himself by planning and building Fort Meigs in 1813. In 1828, he was named Chief of Engineers, a position held for ten years. During that time, he engaged in a lengthy dispute with War Department officials over benefits before being dismissed for embezzlement by President Martin Van Buren. Gratiot's complaints against the federal government evolved into lengthy litigation, which was appealed twice to the U.S. Supreme Court.
