Details
HARRISON, WILLIAM HENRY, President. Autograph letter signed ("W H Harrison") as Whig Presidential candidate, to Rufus Reed and "others of the Committee of Erie County, Pennsylvania," North Bend, [Indiana], 23 July 1840. One page, 4to, integral address leaf with panel in Harrison's hand, original postmarks and remains of original wax seal. Fine condition.
HARRISON'S LEISURELY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Candidate Harrison, a contender in what has been called "the first modern presidential campaign" politely declines to attend an out-of-state event, probably political in nature, until the Presidential balloting has taken place. "Gentlemen, Your letter was received...It would have afforded me great pleasure to be able to inform you that I could comply with the kind invitation which it contains. But I have not yet brought my mind to the determination to relinquish the rule which I had prescribed to myself not to leave the State pending the canvass [voting] for the Presidency & should I ever determine to do so the receipt of several previous invitations (which in point of time would conflict with yours) will prevent me from being with you on the day named...."
In the November elections, without excessive campaigning on his own behalf, Harrison won the electoral votes of 19 states (including Pennsylvania's) while Van Buren captured the votes of only seven.
HARRISON'S LEISURELY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Candidate Harrison, a contender in what has been called "the first modern presidential campaign" politely declines to attend an out-of-state event, probably political in nature, until the Presidential balloting has taken place. "Gentlemen, Your letter was received...It would have afforded me great pleasure to be able to inform you that I could comply with the kind invitation which it contains. But I have not yet brought my mind to the determination to relinquish the rule which I had prescribed to myself not to leave the State pending the canvass [voting] for the Presidency & should I ever determine to do so the receipt of several previous invitations (which in point of time would conflict with yours) will prevent me from being with you on the day named...."
In the November elections, without excessive campaigning on his own behalf, Harrison won the electoral votes of 19 states (including Pennsylvania's) while Van Buren captured the votes of only seven.