701501
Martin Van Buren
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Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862. 8th President of the United States, 1837-1841. Partially printed folio Document Signed, M Van Buren, July 24, 1834.
This is a beautiful large-format warranty deed in which Van Buren, then Vice President under President Andrew Jackson, conveys property in Oswego, New York, to Congressman Joel Turrill (1794-1859), a two-term Jacksonian congressman from Oswego County (1833-1837).
A native of Kinderhook, New York, Van Buren was the first professional politician to become President. He entered the New York Senate in 1812. Five years later, he organized the first statewide political machine. In 1821, he was elected to the United States Senate, where he became a leader and was instrumental in organizing the Jacksonian Democrats. Following his reelection to the Senate in 1827, he traveled to Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, helping to create a grassroots political movement in support of Jackson’s upcoming presidential bid. He was elected Governor of New York in 1828 but resigned after two months to become Jackson’s Secretary of State. His bitter feud with Vice President John C. Calhoun, who wanted the presidency for himself, galvanized support for Van Buren as the next Vice President, an office that he won as Jackson’s running mate in 1832. Four years later, as Jackson’s hand-picked successor, Van Buren was elected President.
The financial panic of 1837 began five years of depression that largely doomed Van Buren’s presidency. Van Buren’s continuance of Jackson’s deflationary policies simply deepened the depression. Van Buren fought to maintain the solvency of the federal government, opposing the creation of a new Bank of the United States. Although once a slaveowner himself, Van Buren more and more opposed it. He blocked Texas annexation because he believed that it would add to slaveholding territory and likely would lead to war with Mexico.
The Democrats renominated Van Buren in 1840, but he managed to win only seven states, losing the election overwhelming to Whig William Henry Harrison. He sought the nomination again in 1844 but could not get enough votes, and after eight ballots his name was withdrawn, and James K. Polk got the nomination instead. In 1848, two minor parties nominated Van Buren, but he got no electoral votes. He died in 1862.
This document is in fine condition, and Van Buren’s signature is excellent. The deed has normal folds and some minor paper separation at the folds. The paper and wax seal beside Van Buren’s signature is intact.
Unframed.
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The first two thumbnails are the bottom and top halves, respectively, of the front.
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