Beschreibung:

Title: SOLD BY PRIVATE TREATY Autograph Letter Signed by Zachary Taylor, to Benjamin O’Fallon Author: Taylor, Zachary Place: Fort Howard, Green Bay [Wisconsin] Publisher: Date: June 2, 1818 Description: 4 pages, in ink, on 4-page lettersheet. Quarto. Long letter written by the future President of the United States Zachary Taylor, commanding Fort Howard in what was then Michigan Territory, to the recently appointed Indian Agent for Missouri, Benjamin O’Fallon. Discussed are Indian policy, mutual acquaintances, politics, events of the day, and other matters, with allusions to dueling: “My Dear Sir: With much pleasure I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two very friendly and interesting letters… I was informed of your appointment, and sincerely congratulate you, but did not learn that you had arrived and established yourself at the Prairie until January last from a letter I recd. from Col. Chambers. The murder of Wm. Smith is truly unfortunate for his family as well as being a loss to St. Louis. The fall of C. Lucas, by me is not regretted, no doubt he deserved his fate” – this last refers to the second duel between Thomas Hart Benton and Charles Lucas with Benton the victor. “I am acquainted in a small degree with that unprincipled party he belonged to, and can aprise you, I have viewed them in the most contemptible light ever since my short residence at St. Louis. I am sorry to hear of the troublesome and vexatious law suites you have been involved in below, on account of that Eastonian party, but no matter, they have been defeated… Report says Lord Selkirk’s establishment at Red River has been nearly broken up the last winter by the N. West, I am doubtful his Lordship’s plans will fail – I have no doubt, the course you will pursue with the Indians ultimately will reconcile them to our Govt. as well as advantageous to them. I was glad to hear of the mild course you pursued towards Bolvair, I have no doubt you have it completely in your power to fulfill a doctrine recommended in scripture towards him… I was glad to hear that our mutual friends at St. Louis were well, your brother will I know be greatly pleased…visiting his relatives and friends in Ky. Maj. Berry & Douglas have both married quite young girls, neither of them were grown when I was in that country. The Govt. appears to make a great difference with the Indian agents as respects furnishing them with presents for the Indians, this I cannot account for – some are furnished liberally while others have nothing to give – your opinion of Gov. Cass coincides with mine, but I think our Govt. are at length determined to pursue a different course toward British subjects than they have done here… I am confident nothing will prevent you from pursuing that course of conduct you may think best for the interest of your government and the Indians placed under your superintendency. Your affair with Lt. Shade will, I have no doubt, convince the gentlemen at the Prairie that you are not to be tampered with, I think you will not find it necessary be engaged in an affair of that kind for some time” – this last apparently refers to an affair of honor, i.e. a duel. “…I cannot leave here until the trial of two officers are over that I have arrested, it is truly a mortifying circumstance but one that I must submit to with as much fortitude as I can muster… I am completely at war with Genl. [Alexander] Macomb and have been a standing applicant for a court martial or court of inquiry for upwards of twelve months past, but can get neither. Should you be at St. Louis on the receipt of this remember me to your worthy uncle and family… Sincerely yours, Z. Taylor.” Provenance: Descended in the Benjamin O’Fallon family. Lot Amendments Condition: Dampstained but legible, paper a bit darkened, two splits (2½” each) to folds, good to very good. Item number: 220192