TYLER, John (1790-1862). Document signed ("J. Tyler") as President, 12 May 1843. A ship's pass for the Anne, commanded by James Perkins. 1 page, folio, on vellum, with official paper seal in lower left corner and two engraved nautical vignettes at top. A SHIP'S PASS SIGNED BY TYLER AS PRESIDENT. The first Vice-President to succeed to office after the death of an incumbent, Tyler's was a pivotal administration during the ante-bellum years. Indeed, he staked an important claim for the powers of the Presidency by resisting those who tried to argue that the Constitution only gave him the office but not the full powers of the Executive. He rejected the notion that he serve only as Acting President, and exerted his powers to make significant additions to the size of the Union: he oversaw the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 which settled the boundary disputes between Canada and Maine, and supported the annexation of Texas in spite of initial Congressional opposition.