GEORGE BANCROFT - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 02/10/1845 - HFSID 254931

GEORGE BANCROFT
The United States Secretary of the Navy wrote this letter to Senator John Fairfield from Boston in 1845, asking to be kept "thoroughly informed".
Manuscript letter signed "Yours truly/George Bancroft". Pencil notation in body of letter and at bottom left corner, both in unknown hand. 1 page, 8x10, 1 sheet folded, addressed on verso. Boston, Massachusetts, Feb. 10, 1845, postmarked Boston, Feb. 10. Addressed to "Hon. J. Fairfield", U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C. In full: "My dear Sir, I write to remind you, that I expect to hear from you at the earliest opportunity. You must keep me thoroughly informed. And [illegible] send me all the Texas and Oregon Document, that are published." "Hon. J. Fairfield" is probably JOHN FAIRFIELD (1797-1847). He was Governor of Maine (1839-1841, 1842-1843) as well as a U. S. Representative (1835-1838)and Senator (1843-1847) for that state. As Senator, Bancroft and Fairfield probably dealt closely with each other; Fairfield was chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs during Bancroft's tenure as Secretary of the Navy. Historian GEORGE BANCROFT (1800-1891) is best known for his ten-volume History of the United States (1834-1873). Bancroft wrote well, and was accurate with his facts, but had a partisan viewpoint. (He was a Jacksonian Democrat, although one opposed to slavery). As President James K. Polk's first Secretary of the Navy (1845-1846), Bancroft established the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, finding the funds for the institution in his budget before Congress had authorized its creation. As Acting Secretary of War (1846), he issued orders to General Zachary Taylor to advance into territory disputed with Mexico, a move which triggered the Mexican War.He later served as the U.S. Minister to Great Britain (1846-1849), Prussia (1867-1871) and Germany (1871-1874). Tear from wax seal at right edge on verso. Folded twice vertically and five times horizontally. Otherwise in fine condition.