[Rarebooks] FS: President John Tyler SIGNED LETTER about Rhode Island Politics & the Dorr Rebellion

[Charles Agvent]

TYLER, John. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED. Washington DC, 28 October 1842. A 
two-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as President on one integral 15-3/4" x 
9-7/8" sheet of stationery folded to make four 7-7/8" x 9-7/8" pages. 
Addressed to Elisha R. Potter of Rhode Island with excellent content on 
the state's politics and the after effects of the Dorr Rebellion which 
sought to extend voting rights beyond land owners. In part: "The 
contemplated establishment of a new journal for the purpose as you 
express it, 'of softening down and assuaging the violence of party 
feeling' in Rhode Island must be esteemed desirable by every lover of 
peace and concord. No one can sincerely more desire the restoration of 
perfect tranquillity within the borders of that time honoured State, 
than myself; and for the accomplishment of an object so desirable, I 
should regard it a solemn duty to use all the means in my power. 
Congress, however, for purposes no doubt which seemed to it to be wise, 
has stripped the Executive of almost all patronage in the matter.... I 
hope however, and shall most heartily rejoice should such be the result, 
that the constitution now tendered to the people may serve to content 
them -- Those who are in favor of the most extensive reform should 
remember that the only mode to reach the summit of a mountain is by 
proceeding step by step -- The progress of public opinion is slow but 
sure, and no great reform was ever accomplished in a day." Tyler refers 
to the new state constitution of Rhode Island, which extended voting 
rights to any native born adult male, regardless of race, who could pay 
a poll tax of $1. The new constitution was ratified only a month earlier 
and did not take effect until the following year. Accompanied by an 
engraving of Tyler. Normal folds from mailing, a few short splits, ink 
dark. Near Fine.

Elisha R. Potter, a delegate to the Rhode Island constitutional 
convention of 1841 to 1842, was elected in 1842 as a Law and Order Party 
candidate to the Twenty-eighth Congress. His notes and correspondence on 
the Dorr Rebellion and early 19th-century Rhode Island politics are held 
by the Rhode Island Historical Society. John Tyler, the tenth president, 
was the first vice president to succeed to the presidency without 
election, taking over for William Henry Harrison who died just one month 
after becoming president. Tyler was also the target of the first 
impeachment proceedings against a president though he was not impeached. 
Incredibly, Tyler still has one living grandson in 2021, another having 
died in 2020. (#020430)        $3,000

https://www.charlesagvent.com/pages/books/020430/john-tyler/autograph-letter-signed

-- 
All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be 
billed. Postage additional: $11.00 for the first item; $5.00 for each 
thereafter. Overseas postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania 
residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and 
Discover accepted. Books may be returned within 7 days of receipt for 
any reason provided they are in the same condition as sent and prior 
notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value. We carry a 
diverse stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century 
Literary First Editions, Signed Books, Presidential Autographs, 
Illustrated Books, and the world's largest inventory of Limited Editions 
Club books. *We have been in business since 1987 and are proud to be 
members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and 
the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).* Please feel 
free to contact us with any wants or offerings. Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT

37 Ridge Drive

Fleetwood, PA 19522-9638

484-575-8825

info at charlesagvent.com

Please visit our shop: https://www.charlesagvent.com



-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com