![TAYLOR, Zachary, President. Autograph letter signed ("Z.Taylor") to A.D. Haskett, Baton Rouge, La., 26 March 1848. 1 page, 4to, boldly penned with a heavy nib or quill. Fine condition. [With:] A small lock of hair. ca. 2 in., neatly stitched to blank lower portion of Taylor's letter.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1999/NYR/1999_NYR_09178_0284_000(115059).jpg?w=1)
細節
TAYLOR, Zachary, President. Autograph letter signed ("Z.Taylor") to A.D. Haskett, Baton Rouge, La., 26 March 1848. 1 page, 4to, boldly penned with a heavy nib or quill. Fine condition. [With:] A small lock of hair. ca. 2 in., neatly stitched to blank lower portion of Taylor's letter.
TAYLOR'S HAIR, WHITENED "IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COMMON COUNTRY"
A letter which clearly reflects the sudden celebrity which "Old Rough and Ready" had attained as a result of his splendid services in the War with Mexico, just concluded by the Treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, announced in early February, by which the United States acquired New Mexico and California. Taylor, a career military officer, veteran of the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War, had captured the public's attention from the outset of the war by his victories at Palo Alta, Resaca de la Palma, Monterrey and, finally, the defeat of Santa Anna at Buena Vista in February 1847.
"Your esteemed letter...reached here during my absence...Your request as stated to have a lock of my hair, as a keepsake, is with much pleasure complied with, which you will find inclosed; much the larger portion of the same has turned from black, to white or gray, yet I trust it will not be the less prized on that account, as it has been bleached while I have been in the service of our common country. For the complimentary terms or language used in making the request in question, accept my best thanks, and wishing you health and prosperity through a long life..."
As attested in the letter, the fame of Taylor's military exploits made the taciturn Taylor--who had never before held elective office--the nominee of the Whig party for President, in June of this same year.
TAYLOR'S HAIR, WHITENED "IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COMMON COUNTRY"
A letter which clearly reflects the sudden celebrity which "Old Rough and Ready" had attained as a result of his splendid services in the War with Mexico, just concluded by the Treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, announced in early February, by which the United States acquired New Mexico and California. Taylor, a career military officer, veteran of the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War, had captured the public's attention from the outset of the war by his victories at Palo Alta, Resaca de la Palma, Monterrey and, finally, the defeat of Santa Anna at Buena Vista in February 1847.
"Your esteemed letter...reached here during my absence...Your request as stated to have a lock of my hair, as a keepsake, is with much pleasure complied with, which you will find inclosed; much the larger portion of the same has turned from black, to white or gray, yet I trust it will not be the less prized on that account, as it has been bleached while I have been in the service of our common country. For the complimentary terms or language used in making the request in question, accept my best thanks, and wishing you health and prosperity through a long life..."
As attested in the letter, the fame of Taylor's military exploits made the taciturn Taylor--who had never before held elective office--the nominee of the Whig party for President, in June of this same year.