Tyler, John. Autograph letter signed as President, one page plus holograph address leaf with free frank ("J Tyler") and black wax seal, 8 x 10 in., Washington, Mar. 5, 1844. To Robert Anderson, an important legislator from Virginia and Tyler's neighbor.
Tyler writes: "When I last wrote you I had mislaid the rec[eip]t. for your subscription to the Madisonian. It is now sent. We are slowly recovering from the effects of the terrible occurrence on board the Princeton. Is not this a marked administration--marked even in its mourning. Take my best wishes for your health and happiness. John Tyler."
On Feb. 28, 1844, Tyler and various dignitaries boarded the warship USS Princeton, the first steamship to be driven by a screw propeller, for a cruise down the Potomac. The ship, which had been designed by Swedish engineer John Ericsson and was commanded by Captain Robert Stockton, carried the world's largest naval gun, called the "Peacemaker"; the highlight of the day was to be the firing of this impressive gun. Two firings went well but upon the third firing, the "Peacemaker" exploded at the breech, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Gilmer, David Gardiner (father of Tyler's future second wife), an American diplomat, a naval officer, and the President's black valet; some 20 others near the blast were injured. Former First Lady Dolly Madison was on board but was not injured. Tyler escaped injury or death only because he happened to linger below deck. To make matters worse, while returning from the funeral for Upshur, Gilmer, Gardiner, and Beverley Kennon (chief of the Bureau of Construction of the U.S. Navy), Tyler's carriage horses bolted and he once again narrowly escaped death or injury.
What a change from the optimistic tone of Tyler's letter written a week earlier (see previous lot). Now the first man elevated to the presidency because of the death of the incumbent President felt that his administration was marked by disaster. Tyler's detractors called him "His Accidency"; the title probably seemed appropriate even to him at the time. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000
U.S. Presidents
