AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, DATED AT HARRISBURG, PA., DECEMBER 12, 1832, TO JOHN BUCHER, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WASHINGTON, D.C.: "FRIEND BUCHER, ANOTHER UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT WAS MADE TODAY TO ELECT A UNITED STATES SENATOR. THE VOTES - 4 WERE TAKEN, WERE NOT ESSENTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE GIVEN ON YESTERDAY. WE HAVE NO NEWS./ . . . [signed] FRS. R. SHUNK/ THE CONVENTION ADJOURNED UNTIL TOMORROW.

Harrisburg, PA, 1832. Folio sheet, folded to 7-3/4" x 9-1/2". Written on the first page in ink manuscript. Addressed, with Harrisburg postal cancel and "FREE" stamp on final blank to "Honble John C. Bucher Member of the House of Reps Washington". Folded for mailing. Old wax seal with small tear of blank margin where opened. Near Fine. NOTE: We have no doubt that the signature is that of Governor Shunk; however, we are uncertain whether the text is in his hand. There are both similarities and differences in the handwriting.

Francis R. Shunk [1788-1848], of Pennsylvania, was its tenth Governor from 1845-1848. His wife, Jane Findlay, was the daughter (truncated) of former Governor William Findlay. He previously had held a variety of State public offices. Shunk writes as Pennsylvania conducted a marathon contest for the election of U.S. Senator, chosen in those days by the legislature of each State.
"The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened on December 11, 1832, for the regularly scheduled Senate election for the term beginning on March 4, 1833. A total of thirty-six ballots were recorded. Ballots 1-17 were recorded on four separate dates (11th, 12th, 13th, 15th) in December 1832. Ballots 18-21 were recorded on two separate dates (9th and 10th) in January 1833. Ballots 22-29 were recorded on two separate dates (19th and 20th) in February 1833. The thirtieth ballot was recorded on March 12, 1833, followed by three additional ballots on April 2. Following the thirty-third ballot on April 2, the election convention adjourned sine die without electing a Senator." A year later, Democrat Samuel McKean was finally elected. [Wikipedia.]
John C. Bucher [1792-1851] of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was a lawyer, U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1831-1833; and associate judge of Dauphin County from 1839-1851. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.]. (Inventory #: 36801)