Beschreibung:

TYLER, JOHN, President . Autograph letter signed ("John Tyler") as Vice-President, TO SECRETARY OF STATE DANIEL WEBSTER, n.p., 11 March 1841. One page, 4to, integral blank with recipient's docket. TYLER TO WEBSTER, A WEEK AFTER BECOMING VICE-PRESIDENT AND THREE WEEKS BEFORE BECOMING PRESIDENT Tyler forwards information regarding a candidate for a diplomatic appointment. "The enclosed letters from Professor Deu of Wm. & Mary College, who desires for Mr. Wm. Boulware of King & Queen County Virginia a foreign embassy, will truly make known to you the character of Mr. Boulware. I know him well, and so not believe that a better appointment could be made. I should be highly gratified in the fulfillment of his wishes, and have to request, that you will, at the proper time, bring him to the notice of the President [William Henry Harrison]. He could multiply letters of recommendation indefinitely...." Tyler letters written during his extremely short term as Vice-President, from 4 March to 6 April 1841, are of extreme rarity. The circumstances of President Harrison's inauguration, subsequent fatal pneumonia and death on 4 April are too well known to require repetition here. Surprisingly, Tyler was not kept informed of Harrison's deteriorating condition and was reportedly stunned when news of the President's death reached him by messenger at his Williamsburgh home on 5 April. He departed immediately for Washington and was inaugurated as President the next day. Since he was the first Vice-President to accede to the Presidency, a controversy ensued over the extent of his powers under the Constitution. Webster remained as Secretary of State after Tyler became President and was the only cabinet member not to join the mass resignation of September 1841 in protest of Tyler's veto of the national bank bills.