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ALS signed “M. Van Buren,” six pages, 8 x 9.75, March 8, 1841. Addressed from Washington four days after Van Buren left office, a handwritten letter to several New York Democratic politicians, including John Van Buren, Robert H. Morris, Wright Hawkes, Theodore Sedgwick, and Thomas Smith; the addressees included Democratic electors and prominent members of the New York City party organization. Responding to an invitation to a public dinner honoring his return to New York following the conclusion of his presidency, Van Buren expresses gratitude for the continued support of the city’s Democratic organization. In part: “The rewards of a publick servant…are complete when to the conciousness of having performed his duty with fidelity and the hope of having rendered himself useful to his country is added the approbation of those who have entrusted their highest earthly interests to his keeping.” Reflecting on his political future after his defeat in the election of 1840, he writes: “I come to you now with a political ambition more than satisfied by the many and distinguished honors which have already been conferred upon me, and with no higher aspirations, if there be higher than to occupy the station, enjoy the privileges and discharge the duties of an American citizen.” Declining the proposed banquet in favor of a less formal gathering, Van Buren closes with a tribute to his supporters, praising the “lion-hearted Democracy of your great city” and assuring them of his “never failing gratitude.” The spine edge of the last page is affixed to a same-sized backing sheet. In fine condition.
Written just four days after leaving the White House following his defeat by William Henry Harrison in the election of 1840, this letter captures Martin Van Buren at a pivotal moment in his political career. Responding to New York City Democrats who sought to honor him with a public dinner upon his return home, Van Buren reflects on public service, expressing satisfaction that he had performed his duties “with fidelity” and declaring himself a man whose “political ambition [was] more than satisfied by the many and distinguished honors which have already been conferred upon me.” Although publicly adopting the posture of a statesman content to resume the role of private citizen, Van Buren remained a central figure in Democratic politics and would again seek the presidency in 1848. Particularly striking is his tribute to the “lion-hearted Democracy of your great city,” a phrase that reflects the enduring bond between Van Buren and the New York Democratic organization that had launched his rise to national prominence. An appealing post-presidential letter written in the immediate aftermath of one of the most consequential electoral defeats in nineteenth-century American politics.
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