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ALS as president signed “M. Van Buren,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 9.75, June 16, 1839. Handwritten letter to friend and lawyer Benjamin Franklin Butler, in full: “I am very grateful to Genl. Sandford for the friendly dispositions evinced by him, and for the very considerate manner in which they have been promulgated. Not wishing to judge altogether for myself in such matters, I sent his note, with your letter, to the Secy of War, with a request that he would give me his ideas upon the subject. The note inclosed [not present] conveys them, and corresponding so well with my own that I cannot do better than to send it for your & Genl. Sandford's perusal – of course confidentially. I hope it will satisfy the Genl. that I do right in conforming to the suggestion it contains. My letter to Mr. Edmonds expresses fully my views upon the subject of my visit. My own observative power satisfied me of the vitality of the military under similar circumstances. They were out last summer at Norfolk & at Richmond & in both cases without previous communication. What I want is, that my friends in & out of the Common Council should do what they think right, under the restrictions contained in my letter to Mr. Edmonds, & I will be perfectly satisfied.
I hope to reach Govr. Dickerson's by Saturday evening previous to the 1st of July. If so I might be in N York on the first, but think it will be best not to anticipate arriving there before the second, which will give me Sunday for rest & enable me to make a few visits on the way on Monday the first. There is I believe a railroad from Jersey City to Morristown, so that if our friends desire it they may communicate with me with great ease. I wish you would make these suggestions in regard to time to Mr. Hood the Chairman of the Young Mens Committee, who expects to hear from me on the subject.” Van Buren adds a postscript: “Letters addressed to me at Reading or Easton will come safely to hand.” In fine condition, with scattered ink stains.
Written on June 16, 1839, while serving as president, Martin Van Buren discusses arrangements for his forthcoming tour through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Addressing former Attorney General Benjamin F. Butler, he references communications with Secretary of War Joel R. Poinsett, General Charles W. Sandford of the New York militia, members of the New York Common Council, and a Young Mens Committee concerning plans for his reception. Van Buren comments upon the possible participation of military organizations, cites similar appearances in Norfolk and Richmond during the previous year, outlines his intended travel route, and notes in a postscript that letters addressed to him at Reading or Easton would reach him en route. The letter thus documents preparations for a presidential journey that occupied much of the summer and autumn of 1839.
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