In 1850, President Zachary Taylor receives

9. Zachary Taylor Letter Signed as President on Benedict Arnold. LS as president, signed “Z. Taylor,” one page, 7.25 x 9.5, February 4, 1850. Letter to Epenetus Wheeler of New York, in part: “I had the pleasure sometime since to receive by the hands of the Hon. Mr. Phoenix, a box which you had the great kindness to send for my acceptance, containing the proclamation issued by General Arnold after his treason, but it has been accidentally mislaid & has remained unopened until today. I need not say how much I feel indebted to you for this very interesting relic of the Revolution for which you have my most grateful thanks.” Handsomely double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 19 x 16. In fine condition. A unique presidential piece, recalling perhaps the most infamous episode of the American Revolution. Given his short 16-month tenure in the White House, presidential autographs by Taylor are especially scarce; the excellent content of this letter makes it all the more remarkable. Starting Bid $500

10. Millard Fillmore Letter Signed as President on Death of Clay. LS as president, one page, 7.75 x 10, June 29, 1852. Letter to Secretary of the Interior Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, in full: “The tolling bells announce the death of the Hon. Henry Clay. Though this event has been long anticipated, yet the painful bereavement could never be fully realized. I am sure all hearts are too sad at this moment to attend to business, and I therefore respectfully suggest that your department be closed for the remainder of the day.” Affixed inside to the integral leaf are a black mourning crepe and silk memorial ribbon featuring two of Clay’s memorable quotes. In fine condition.

After decades of service to the nation, Henry Clay passed away from tuberculosis at 11:17 a.m. on June 29, 1852, just over an hour before this letter was written. His last major public act was an attempt to resolve the rising tensions between north and south in the Great Compromise of 1850, which President Fillmore supported. Respected as a distinguished American statesman, Clay became the first person to lie in state in the United States Capitol rotunda. Starting Bid $1000

11. Millard Fillmore Autograph Letter Signed. ALS, one page, 4.5 x 7, June 24, [no year]. Letter written from Buffalo, in full: “Your apologetic note was quite unnecessary. I suspected that some unforeseen accident had deferred us of the pleasure of your company at tea, and while we could not but regret it, we had no suspicion that any blame could be attached to you.” In fine condition, with scattered faint foxing and soiling. Starting Bid $200

13. Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed as President. ALS as president, one page, 4.5 x 7, January 1, 1855. Handwritten letter to Gen. T. H. Bayly, in full: “I am unwilling to trouble you so often but you will oblige me particularly by calling as early as convenient after breakfast tomorrow morning.” Professionally inlaid into a larger sheet and in fine condition. Thomas Bayly was a general of the 21st Brigade in the Virginia Militia and at the time of this letter was serving as a congressman from Virginia, and as chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Starting Bid $200