Details
POLK, James K. Autograph letter signed ("James K. Polk") as President, to Secretary of War William L. Marcy, Washington, 14 May 1847. 1 full page, 4to, small tear at left edge (repaired), the sheet neatly backed.
PRESIDENT FORWARDS A CONGRESSIONAL COMMENDATION OF FUTURE PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR
Polk, who had signed the Declaration of War against Mexico in May 1846, forwards an official Congressional commendation to General Taylor and his army, recently victorious in the battle of Monterey, Mexico. "Herewith you will find copies of letters addressed by me [not present], to the officers to whom they are respectively addressed, in execution of the Joint Resolutions of Congress of the 2nd March last 'giving the thanks of Congress to Major General [Zachary] Taylor, and the officers and men under his command, in the late military operations at Monterey,' I transmit these copies to you, that you may cause them to be placed in the files, or recorded in your Department...."
Taylor's army, after crossing the Rio Grande at Matamoros in mid-May 1846, moved south against the heavily fortified city of Monterey, which surrendered on 28 September 1847. The victory was widely acclaimed and did much to cement the popular reputation of Taylor, a process that would eventually culminate in his nomination for President in June 1848 (see lot 64).
PRESIDENT FORWARDS A CONGRESSIONAL COMMENDATION OF FUTURE PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR
Polk, who had signed the Declaration of War against Mexico in May 1846, forwards an official Congressional commendation to General Taylor and his army, recently victorious in the battle of Monterey, Mexico. "Herewith you will find copies of letters addressed by me [not present], to the officers to whom they are respectively addressed, in execution of the Joint Resolutions of Congress of the 2nd March last 'giving the thanks of Congress to Major General [Zachary] Taylor, and the officers and men under his command, in the late military operations at Monterey,' I transmit these copies to you, that you may cause them to be placed in the files, or recorded in your Department...."
Taylor's army, after crossing the Rio Grande at Matamoros in mid-May 1846, moved south against the heavily fortified city of Monterey, which surrendered on 28 September 1847. The victory was widely acclaimed and did much to cement the popular reputation of Taylor, a process that would eventually culminate in his nomination for President in June 1848 (see lot 64).