Fantastic complete set of ink signatures of President Buchanan and his cabinet—"James Buchanan," "Lew Cass," "Aaron V. Brown," "Isaac Toucey," "John B. Floyd," "Howell Cobb," "J. S. Black," and "J. Thompson”—penned at the foot of a letter sent to them by William Blain on a light blue 7.75 x 9.75 sheet, April 15, 5858, in part: "At the earnest desire of Eliza Champlin, of the city of New York, widow of the late John Champlin, who was an ardent supporter of Democratic principles, I have to request in her behalf that you will pleased to sign your names hereunto, she being particularly anxious to obtain your several autographs." The president and his cabinet happily complied, signing below the letter's text. In fine condition.
We know of no other example of Buchanan and his cabinet signing together on a single sheet, making this an extremely rare and historic example. Especially notable are several of the signers' Southern ties, as many would soon become secessionists: Secretary of War John Floyd used his high office to secretly transfer arms and funds to the South in preparation for conflict; Secretary of the Treasury Howell Cobb, following Lincoln's election, led Georgia toward secession, served as president of the convention establishing a provisional Confederate government, and later administered the oath of office to Jefferson Davis; and Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson, who resigned when President Buchanan attempted to fortify Fort Sumter and later became an aide to Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard.
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