Endorsement, as president, “Approved, Andrew Jackson,” at the conclusion of a letter to Jackson from Secretary of State John Forsyth. The letter, dated June 18, 1835, 8 x 12.5, three pages on two adjoining sheets, concerns the activities of a gentleman acting as a U. S. diplomat. In part: “I have the honor to present for the examination of the President, three letters received at the Department from Levett Harris, dated at Paris…The unsolicited communications to the Department by citizens of the United States of facts that may come to their knowledge while residing abroad, likely to be interesting to their country, are always received with pleasure, and carefully preserved in the files of the Government. Even opinions on foreign topics are received with proper respect for the motives and character of those who choose to express them. But holding it both improper and dangerous to countenance any of our citizens occupying no public station, in holding confidential communications on our affairs with a foreign government at which we have a credited agent, upon a subject involving the honor of the country, without the knowledge of such agent, and virtually substituting himself as the channel of communication between that Government and his own, I considered it my duty to invite Mr. Pageot to the Department, to apprise him of the content of Mr. Harris’s letter of the 23d of April, and at the same time to inform him that he might communicate the fact to the Duke de Broglie that no notice could be taken of Mr. Harris and his communications…I was satisfied with the assurances Mr. Pageot gave me, that he would immediately state what had occurred to his Government.” Signed at the conclusion by Forsyth, with Jackson’s bold endorsement underneath. In fine condition, with some professional tape reinforcement to partial separations along the adjoining fold.
Secretary Forsyth explains in detail that a certain U.S citizen had been representing himself as an agent of the government in discussions with foreign governments. The “Duke de Broglie” in question was most likely Achille-Léonce-Victor-Charles, 3rd duc de Broglie, Prime Minister of France at the time of this missive. Jackson’s bold endorsement on the document attests to the serious nature of Mr. Forsyth’s concerns. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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