PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/17/1848 CO-SIGNED BY: CHARLES GORDON ATHERTON - HFSID 5082

FRANKLIN PIERCE
The former Senator and Brigadier General in the Mexican War writes a letter of introduction for a fellow officer to his U.S. Senator.
Autograph Letter Signed: "Fr. Pierce", 1p, 8x10. Concord, 1848 December 17. To Hon. C.G. Atherton, U.S. Senator, Washington, D.C. In full: "Allow me to introduce to you Dr. Tho McNab Jr. late of the 9th Regt of Infantry. Dr. McN was with me during the entire campaign in Mexico and too much can hardly be said of him as a brave and excellent officer. I consider him in all respects worthy of the confidence of the Government and solicit for him your aid with application he proposes to make to the President. In haste, yr friend." Integral leaf addressed by Pierce. On verso of Pierce's letter, Atherton has penned an ANS: "C.G. Atherton". In full: "I fully concur in the recommendation of Genl Pierce. Mr. McNab is in my opinion every way deserving. His services to the Govt have been faithful & highly efficient." Democrat CHARLES G. ATHERTON (1804-1853) served as New Hampshire Congressman (1837-1843) and Senator (1843-1849), returning to his Nashua, N.H. law office in 1849. At the time of this letter, the President was Democrat James Knox Polk. PIERCE, also a Democrat, was elected President in 1852 and Atherton was returned to the U.S. Senate, where he served eight and a half months until his death on November 15, 1853 at the age of 49. Pierce had enlisted as a Private in the Mexican War in 1847, quickly rising to Colonel of the 9th Regiment of Infantry and, on March 3, 1847, a Brigadier General. Folds, none touch signature. Lightly shaded at mid-vertical fold, 2 nail head-size file holes at blank left margin. Lightly creased. Fine condition.