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James Buchanan Autograph Letter Signed....
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$4,750.00
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Description
President Buchanan accepts the resignation of his Secretary of War
James Buchanan Autograph Letter Signed. One page of a
bifolium, 5 x 8 inches, Washington; December 31, 1860. Writing to
his former Secretary of War John B. Floyd, Buchanan confirms his
acceptance of Floyd's resignation and outlines temporary
arrangements for the War Department in Floyd's absence. Buchanan
had requested that Floyd resign from his position just days
earlier, following the revelation that the latter had been involved
in a scandal with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The letter reads,
in full:"I have received & accepted your resignation of the office of Secretary of War; & not wishing to impose upon you the task of performing its mere routine duties which you have kindly offered, I have authorised the Postmaster General to administer the affairs of the Department until your successor shall be appointed." Signed, "James Buchanan." Marked "Copy" in the upper margin.
Floyd's tenure as Secretary of War was widely criticized. He was regarded as an ineffective administrator, and his record included the mishandling of the Utah War, the armed confrontation between Mormon settlers and federal forces, as well as the dismissal of warnings about John Brown's planned raid on Harpers Ferry. In December 1860, Buchanan requested Floyd's resignation following his implication in the "Abstracted Indian Bonds" scandal. Floyd, working with his wife's nephew Godard Bailey, had been involved in the removal of bonds from the Indian Agency safe and in honoring large drafts from government contractors in advance of earned funds. Although Floyd was later indicted for malversation in office, the charges were dismissed on technical grounds in 1861.
After the outbreak of the Civil War, Floyd entered Confederate service as a brigadier general. His military career proved no more successful than his time in office. After a series of defeats, including the loss of Fort Donelson, Jefferson Davis relieved him of command in March 1862. Floyd died the following year of natural causes.
Condition: Lightly toned with a single smoothed vertical fold. Small chip at the bottom edge, not affecting text.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2026
26th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 11
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 142
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