Autograph Letter Signed of Franklin Pierce, Possibly as President, Relating to Two Men He Would Appoint to High Office

Autograph Letter Signed, Saturday morning, no date, to George Saunders residing at the National Hotel in Washington. “My dear Sir: Will you call on me with Curry at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Yr. friend, Fr. Pierce. Come to the library, If not at 2 as early as possible after.” That Pierce was in Washington is obvious if Saunders was, too, but whether it was while Pierce was in Congress or as President is not clear.

However, these facts make it likely that the letter was as president. Sanders was a supporter of President James K. Polk and was later awarded the position of Consul in London during the administration of Franklin Pierce. George Curry served as the Secretary of the Oregon Territory from 1853 to 1854. President Pierce then named him governor of the territory. Perhaps this meeting was as president, and called to offer the men those positions.