Details
POLK, JAMES, K., President. Autograph letter signed ("James K. Polk," with flourish) as President, to Secretary of the Navy John Y. Mason, Washington, D.C., 5 November 1848. 1 page, 4to, 250 x 200 mm. (10 x 8 in.), integral blank, Polk has crossed out three words at the beginning, minor marginal defects, otherwise in fine condition.
President Polk is evidently preparing his State of the Union address, and requests documents from Mason, who, as Secretary of the Navy, had displeased Polk by his ineptitude with the American fleet during the Mexican War: "Will you send over your Report & documents as early this morning as they can be procured? I have but little time to arrange the Documents which are to accompany my message..."
President Polk is evidently preparing his State of the Union address, and requests documents from Mason, who, as Secretary of the Navy, had displeased Polk by his ineptitude with the American fleet during the Mexican War: "Will you send over your Report & documents as early this morning as they can be procured? I have but little time to arrange the Documents which are to accompany my message..."