Details
TYLER, John. Autograph letter signed ("J. Tyler") to John C. Spencer (1788-1855), Washington, 12 October 1843. 1 page, 4to, ruled paper.
FORCING A LEAKER TO MAKE AMENDS
TYLER PUNISHES HIS TREASURY SECRETARY FOR TRYING TO UNDERMINE NEGOTIATIONS WITH MEXICO OVER TEXAS ANENXATION. President Tyler confronts Spencer about leaking information used to attack the American ambassador to Mexico and undermine the administration's policy on the Texas-Mexico question: "I perceive that the newspapers are assailing Mr. Thompson our minister to Mexico relative to the Mexican indemnity. Now the orders relating to the mode of its remittance I think emanated from yourself. The arrangements having been made by you through the mercantile house in N. York. Is it not due to Mr. Thompson that a proper explanation should appear in the Madisonian. Will you prepare a short article." Notably, Tyler leaves off the correct punctuation marks in those final two questions--for good reason. They are not a question and a request, but a statement and a demand from an angry President to a "leaky" subordinate. Spencer opposed Tyler's plans to annex Texas, and the President tried first to shift him over to the Supreme Court, but the Senate rejected his nomination. Not even writing a conciliatory piece in the administration's organ, The Madisonian, would heal the breach and Spencer quit the administration in May 1844.
FORCING A LEAKER TO MAKE AMENDS
TYLER PUNISHES HIS TREASURY SECRETARY FOR TRYING TO UNDERMINE NEGOTIATIONS WITH MEXICO OVER TEXAS ANENXATION. President Tyler confronts Spencer about leaking information used to attack the American ambassador to Mexico and undermine the administration's policy on the Texas-Mexico question: "I perceive that the newspapers are assailing Mr. Thompson our minister to Mexico relative to the Mexican indemnity. Now the orders relating to the mode of its remittance I think emanated from yourself. The arrangements having been made by you through the mercantile house in N. York. Is it not due to Mr. Thompson that a proper explanation should appear in the Madisonian. Will you prepare a short article." Notably, Tyler leaves off the correct punctuation marks in those final two questions--for good reason. They are not a question and a request, but a statement and a demand from an angry President to a "leaky" subordinate. Spencer opposed Tyler's plans to annex Texas, and the President tried first to shift him over to the Supreme Court, but the Senate rejected his nomination. Not even writing a conciliatory piece in the administration's organ, The Madisonian, would heal the breach and Spencer quit the administration in May 1844.