Five ALSs, three signed “MVB,” one signed “M. Van Buren,” and one written in the third person, ranging in date from 1829 to 1836, all written to Aaron Vail, the United States Charge d’affaires to Great Britain. One letter, dated May 8, 1829 reads, “Mr. Van Buren returns the enclosed to Mr. Vail with Mr. Van Buren's assurance that he has entire confidence that the good opinion which he now entertains of N. V’s capacity & principles will be permanent.” A second one reads, “I wish you would call a Major Donaldson as soon after five this afternoon & remain this evening at the Presidents to assist in copying the message.” In overall fine condition.
On March 5, 1829, Andrew Jackson named Van Buren, a former New York governor, as his Secretary of State, a position that had probably been promised him before the election and one that he held until 1831. During that period, historians note, Van Buren was perhaps the most knowledgeable person in Jackson’s cabinet—most of whom were political “hacks” simply used to create an ideological balance in the Jackson Administration. As one of Jackson’s most trusted advisers, it came as little surprise that, in 1831, the president appointed Van Buren as minister to the Court of St. James's in the United Kingdom. But politics make strange bedfellows, and the appointment did not sit well with Vice President John C. Calhoun, who was at odds with the chief executive and, as political retribution, assured that the Senate would reject his appointment the following January. Vail, Van Buren’s successor overseas, served in that office between 1832 and 1836. Given the great deal of correspondence between Van Buren and his successor, it’s certain that no ill-will was harbored between them. Perhaps Van Buren got the last laugh, however. He succeeded Calhoun as vice president in 1833 and was elected the eight president of the United States. The key to this offered collection is the relationship between Vail and Van Buren—five lettters between them—combined giving a brief timeline of Van Buren’s political history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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