Details
POLK, SARAH C., First Lady. Autograph letter signed ("Mrs. James K. Polk") to Sec. of the Navy Gideon Welles, Nashville, 28 July 1865. 1 page, 4to, formerly mounted.
THE FORMER FIRST LADY SEEKS A PARDON FOR A CONFEDERATE RELATIVE. Sarah Polk entreats the help of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles: "Will you...excuse me for...addressing you this letter & enclosing one to the President [Andrew Johnson]. I have recently applied to the President for a pardon to the application of Gen[era]l J...C.Brown of Tenn[essee], who is a relative & special friend. The President's health, and the great press of business, & the abscence of Col[onel] Browning (his private sec[retary]), I am led to think that my letter, was never presented to him...And knowing also that a member of the Cabinet can bring a subject before the President at all times, to avoid having my letter put on file with many hundreds that mean nothing, I have presumed on this remembrance..."
THE FORMER FIRST LADY SEEKS A PARDON FOR A CONFEDERATE RELATIVE. Sarah Polk entreats the help of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles: "Will you...excuse me for...addressing you this letter & enclosing one to the President [Andrew Johnson]. I have recently applied to the President for a pardon to the application of Gen[era]l J...C.Brown of Tenn[essee], who is a relative & special friend. The President's health, and the great press of business, & the abscence of Col[onel] Browning (his private sec[retary]), I am led to think that my letter, was never presented to him...And knowing also that a member of the Cabinet can bring a subject before the President at all times, to avoid having my letter put on file with many hundreds that mean nothing, I have presumed on this remembrance..."