Montgomery Blair ALS, 1836, Also Signed by Andrew Jackson as President and General Alexander Macomb

Lot 226

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American History Auction by Cowan's Auctions

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American History Auction

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Nov 18, 2016 - Nov 19, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-11-18 10:00:00 2016-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-auction-1870 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

ALS, 1p, 8 x 10 in., City of Washington. January 26, 1836. Written by Montgomery Blair (who would become Lincoln’s Postmaster General), endorsed and signed by General Alexander Macomb (as Commanding General of the US Army), and by Andrew Jackson as President. By this letter, addressed to the US Secretary of War, Blair asks to be reinstated into the Army so that he may join his company fighting in Florida. He writes, in part: I have read with unaffected sorrow the recent news from our Florida frontier & observing also by the official sentiment accompanying that account that the county now requires officers for the Army. I have concluded to offer my services again & ask the revocation of my resignation of October last. Should the Secretary be please to grant this request I will spare no efforts to equip & join my company know ordered to rendezvous at Picolata in Florida...Montgomery Blair.

Macomb endorses Blair’s request, and forwards to the President. He writes, in part: As the restoration of Mr. M. Blair to his former station in the army will interfere with no officer’s rights, I recommend, that he [be] attached to his regiment, as Brevet Second Lieutenant, he being a graduate of the Military Academy… A. Macomb. M. Genl.

President Jackson signs his approval Approved Janry, 26th 1836. Andrew Jackson

In November 1835, the Seminole Indians in Florida began resisting their scheduled removal to the West, thereby setting off the Second Seminole War (aka “Florida War.”). Osceola would lead the Indians in this war until his capture in 1837. On December 28, 1835, Indian Agent Wiley Thompson and his men were massacred at Fort King, FL. That same day, Major Francis L. Dade [namesake of Dade County, FL] and 100 of his men were killed at Fort Brooke, FL. When news of the killings reached the north a few weeks later, it dominated the national news. President Andrew Jackson called for volunteers from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. And men with military backgrounds, such as Montgomery Blair, felt duty bound to revenge their former comrades in arms.

Montgomery Blair (1813-83) graduated from West Point in 1835, but resigned his commission in October 1835. As this letter attests, his resignation was revoked and he rejoined his company and did, fight in the Florida War for a year, before again resigning. He subsequently served as US Solicitor in the Court of Claims (1855-58), and US Postmaster General from 1861-64 (Lincoln’s cabinet).

Alexander Macomb (1782-1841) was commanding general of the US Army from 1828 until his death. During the War of 1812 he was promoted to brigadier general. He received a Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress for his victory at the Battle of Plattsburg. His last active service in the field was during the Seminole War.

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). War of 1812 hero, who had been military governor of Florida in 1821, served as president from 1829-37, encompassing the time of this letter.

Condition

Three tape repairs on the reverse side of the letter, with slight show through, otherwise good.
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