Details
POLK, James K. (1795-1849), President. Autograph letter (concluding portion) signed ("James K. Polk"), to Representative Thomas L. Hamer in Georgetown, Ohio, n.p., n.d. [1835]. 1½ pages, 4to, apparently the second leaf of two, small mended tear at top edge.
POLK ON THE WHIG STRATEGY IN THE 1836 ELECTION
A private letter saturated with state and national political news and gossip, mentioning two subsequent Presidents (Andrew Johnson and William Henry Harrison), and two unsuccessful contenders (John Bell and Hugh Lawson White). Future President Polk provides an interesting view of the curious three-pronged Whig presidential strategy for 1836, in which the party deliberately fielded three regional Whig candidates: Tennessee's Senator Hugh Lawson White (1773-1844), Daniel Webster, and William Henry Harrison. They hoped a divided vote would throw the election into the House where they thought they could muster a majority to defeat Van Buren.
Polk comments on the parties and turbulent Tennessee politics: "[Andrew] Johnson they did oppose with their strongest man. He firmly met and resisted the whole power of the White excitements, the continued influence of the Bank, and of Bell and his associates, all of which were brought to bear upon him, and against all this he was elected by the triumphant majority of 1,287 votes. And colleague Dunlap has seen the error of his way...The Presidential election may not make a full test in any of our elections....A majority of our Legislators will be for White, and it is probable that a Legislative nomination will be attempted. If so, it will be found to be, by no means, unanimous..." Polk further notes "much excitement upon the boundary question. What is the present prospect of adjusting that question?... Write me how political currents are running...." In the 1836 Presidential election, the Whig's novel strategy failed to garner enough support to overcome the well-organized Democrats.
POLK ON THE WHIG STRATEGY IN THE 1836 ELECTION
A private letter saturated with state and national political news and gossip, mentioning two subsequent Presidents (Andrew Johnson and William Henry Harrison), and two unsuccessful contenders (John Bell and Hugh Lawson White). Future President Polk provides an interesting view of the curious three-pronged Whig presidential strategy for 1836, in which the party deliberately fielded three regional Whig candidates: Tennessee's Senator Hugh Lawson White (1773-1844), Daniel Webster, and William Henry Harrison. They hoped a divided vote would throw the election into the House where they thought they could muster a majority to defeat Van Buren.
Polk comments on the parties and turbulent Tennessee politics: "[Andrew] Johnson they did oppose with their strongest man. He firmly met and resisted the whole power of the White excitements, the continued influence of the Bank, and of Bell and his associates, all of which were brought to bear upon him, and against all this he was elected by the triumphant majority of 1,287 votes. And colleague Dunlap has seen the error of his way...The Presidential election may not make a full test in any of our elections....A majority of our Legislators will be for White, and it is probable that a Legislative nomination will be attempted. If so, it will be found to be, by no means, unanimous..." Polk further notes "much excitement upon the boundary question. What is the present prospect of adjusting that question?... Write me how political currents are running...." In the 1836 Presidential election, the Whig's novel strategy failed to garner enough support to overcome the well-organized Democrats.