1848 Martin Van Buren ALS **SIGNED** Letter Regarding Running for President Fine
Van Buren, Martin. Autograph letter signed "M Van Buren." Lindenwald, NY, 18 June 1848. 4to, 1 1/2 pages. Ink on smooth wove paper. ************ The letter is written to law partner Benjamin F. Butler, weighing the possibility of a Presidential nomination from the Free Soil Party. ".... I cannot by any means or under any circumstance be a candidate & will give such reasons as will be satisfactory to the Convention. The last question as it stood in your draft I ought not for obvious reasons to say anything about. I have however altered my opinion & think a nomination inevitable & expedient. I did not answer your letter in regard to the expediency of your writing to the Genl. but I did not like to dissuade you. I could not under the circumstances encourage you. I . . . will at all events send my answer by Dr Beekman." Van Buren would end up running as the Free Soil party candidate in the 1848 presidential election; he garnered 10% of the vote, which was a respectable showing for a third party candidate at the time; however, he received no electoral votes. Flattened creases, a couple of small remnants of mounting tissue to corners, else good.
