Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Buchanan, James (1791-1868) to B.S. Schoonover

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01239 Author/Creator: Buchanan, James (1791-1868) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 January 1848 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 25 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses his presidential prospects and thanks Schoonover profusely for his support. Describes at length the faithfulness and devotion the people of Pennsylvania have shown him over the years. Mentions that if it was up to him, he would not have sought out the presidency but the support for his nomination was so great that he could not avoid it. Expresses his surprise at learning that Governor Francis Shunk's administration would oppose his nomination since he had exerted all his influence to get the governor elected. Comments that it seems General Lewis Cass and himself will be the nominated candidates. Ends by stating, "Whatever may be the result, whether prosperous or adverse, I shall ever retain for the Democracy of my native State, the same feelings of devotion & gratitude which have thus far guided my political conduct & which death alone can extinguish." Marked private and confidential at top of first page.

Buchanan did not get the Democratic nomination until the election of 1856 in which he won the presidency.

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
Schoonover, B. S., fl. 1848
Shunk, Francis Rawn, 1788-1848
Cass, Lewis, 1782-1866

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