Beschreibung:

FILLMORE, MILLARD, President . Autograph letter signed ("Fillmore") to S.G. Haven, Washington, D.C., 19 December 1839. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf [ with ] Autograph free frank ("M. Fillmore M.C.") as Member of Congress, on integral address leaf in Fillmore's hand, red circular "Washington D.C." datestamp and "Free" handstamp; address leaf neatly inlaid and with small seal hole patched, otherwise in fine condition . Writing to a Buffalo friend ("Dear Haven"), Fillmore passes on news from the Capital. "...It is a melancholy thought that I shall see poor Day no more. He had many qualities that attached one to him. He was eminently social, and how painful is the thought that he must fill a drunkard's grave. It is an awful warning against the first indulgence of intemperance. Had it not been for this vice his life might have been lengthened many years....Nothing new here. We are yet skirmishing about the edges of the N.Jersey election. But there is no hope. We can not get a new trial and the only course is to appeal to the people. I think we shall go into the election of clerk, printer &c tomorrow." "Rumor says that Mr. [Henry] Clay will resign his seat during the present session to retire from public life. Genl. [Winfield] Scott is here. I saw him a few minutes today. In good health and spirits...." The rumor regarding Clay, a Senator since 1831, and, like Fillmore, a Whig, was unfounded. He remained a central political figure for many years. In 1850, during Fillmore's Presidency, Clay was largely responsible for engineering the Compromise of 1850, a final attempt to forestall civil war.