Item 26a: Letter from John Tyler to [John Canfield] Spencer (removed to Legal Box #1), 1843 July 3
Item — Box: 9, Folder: 26a
Dates
- Created: 1843 July 3
Creator
- Tyler, John, 1790-1862. (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Good. No notable damage present.
Measurements:
7 in. x 4 ½ in.
Title:
N/A
Description:
The following item depicts a letter dated July 3, 1843, written by John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States to John Canfield Spencer, an American politician, judge and United States Cabinet secretary seat under John Tyler. In the letter, Tyler is requesting Spencer to grant his friend, McGrath, a subordinate appointment with Customs. He writes very highly of the man’s character, suggesting that the two have been connected closely for some time. The reverse states “Free McGrath,” which has been seen as a free frank signature of other government officials in the collection, such as James Madison, in items 9.9a-b.
A free frank signature was a signature allowing certain members of the United States government to send mail without paying postage. The practice originated in the 17th century within the English House of Commons, but was later adopted by the Continental Congress in 1775 and passed into law in 1789. The parties approved were Congress, the president, cabinet secretaries, and certain executive branch officials. Senate.gov has a more indepth historical exploration of the free frank.
Transcription:
14
July 3. (1843)
My Dear Sir;
The appointment of McGrath to a subordinate place in the Customs would be the appointment of a true friend. He comes endeared to me in the strongest manner.
Can you get him in some place then
Mr J. Tyler
Mr. Spencer
Back: In pencil: Pre[siden]t John Tyler
Free Mc Grath
Mr. Spencer
Back: In pencil: Pre[siden]t John Tyler
Free Mc Grath
Creator
- Tyler, John, 1790-1862. (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu