![VAN BUREN, Martin. Autograph letter signed ("M Van Buren") [probably as Secretary of State], TO PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON, with Jackson's 27-word autograph endorsement signed ("A.J."), [Washington], "Wednesday," [ca. 1831]. 1 page, folio (12¾ x 7¾ in.), 1 x 1½ in. small piece at lower right corner lacking, Jackson's endorsement on the integral address leaf.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2002/NYR/2002_NYR_01139_0071_000(050305).jpg?w=1)
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VAN BUREN, Martin. Autograph letter signed ("M Van Buren") [probably as Secretary of State], TO PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON, with Jackson's 27-word autograph endorsement signed ("A.J."), [Washington], "Wednesday," [ca. 1831]. 1 page, folio (12¾ x 7¾ in.), 1 x 1½ in. small piece at lower right corner lacking, Jackson's endorsement on the integral address leaf.
THE FUTURE VICE-PRESIDENT TO THE PRESIDENT: VAN BUREN SAVES A CONGRESSMAN FROM EMBARASSMENT
"Little Van" a conscientious Secretary of State and loyal Jacksonian, tries to prevent an awkward confrontation on the floor of Congress. He had been contacted by New York Congressman Michael Hoffman (1787-1848), Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, who feared being forced to publicly denounce a report of Commodore Charles Stewart (1778-1869) on a bill to provide a pension to the widow of Commodore Stephen Decatur. Stewart, a respected naval officer, served with distinction during the assault upon Tripoli in 1804 and captained several formidable ships; the Hornet, Constellation and Constitution. In 1830, Stewart was appointed naval commissioner and in this role was involved in the Decatur Bill.
Here, Van Buren requests Jackson's aid: "My friend Mr. Hoffman will call upon you at ten in the morning to ask some assistance from you in the prosecution of Mr. Decatur's bill in the manner & for the reasons he will point out. It is to come up again on Friday & he wishes very much to be saved from the necessity of attacking the statement of Commodore Stewart which he thinks can & ought to be expected by the Commodore." Jackson in turn forwarded Van Buren's letter to his friend and advisor, William B. Lewis (a member of the "Kitchen Cabinet") with a further note: "Major Lewis will please read this & let me see him early. Capt. Stewart must be seen on command after Mr. Hoffman has the interview with me."
VERY RARE. According to ABPC, no other letter from Van Buren to Jackson has been offered for sale at auction in the last quarter of a century.
Provenance: Phillips Son & Neale Inc., 27 January 1983, lot 140.
THE FUTURE VICE-PRESIDENT TO THE PRESIDENT: VAN BUREN SAVES A CONGRESSMAN FROM EMBARASSMENT
"Little Van" a conscientious Secretary of State and loyal Jacksonian, tries to prevent an awkward confrontation on the floor of Congress. He had been contacted by New York Congressman Michael Hoffman (1787-1848), Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, who feared being forced to publicly denounce a report of Commodore Charles Stewart (1778-1869) on a bill to provide a pension to the widow of Commodore Stephen Decatur. Stewart, a respected naval officer, served with distinction during the assault upon Tripoli in 1804 and captained several formidable ships; the Hornet, Constellation and Constitution. In 1830, Stewart was appointed naval commissioner and in this role was involved in the Decatur Bill.
Here, Van Buren requests Jackson's aid: "My friend Mr. Hoffman will call upon you at ten in the morning to ask some assistance from you in the prosecution of Mr. Decatur's bill in the manner & for the reasons he will point out. It is to come up again on Friday & he wishes very much to be saved from the necessity of attacking the statement of Commodore Stewart which he thinks can & ought to be expected by the Commodore." Jackson in turn forwarded Van Buren's letter to his friend and advisor, William B. Lewis (a member of the "Kitchen Cabinet") with a further note: "Major Lewis will please read this & let me see him early. Capt. Stewart must be seen on command after Mr. Hoffman has the interview with me."
VERY RARE. According to ABPC, no other letter from Van Buren to Jackson has been offered for sale at auction in the last quarter of a century.
Provenance: Phillips Son & Neale Inc., 27 January 1983, lot 140.