Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed as President

ALS as president, signed â€Å“Fr. Pierce,â€Â one page both sides, 5.75 x 7, December 7, 1854. Handwritten letter to N. H. Osgood in New York. In part: â€Å“The Spanish Minister is, I learn, still unable to give any attention to business and I am unable to see his Secy in season to communicate prior to the day that Genl. Spofford has fixed upon for his departure—I inclose herewith three letters from Genl. Cushing to personal friends in Cuba—Wishing for Genl. Spofford a safe passage & pleasant sojourn.â€Â In fine condition, with intersecting folds with one small edge separation and brushing to ink in a couple words. Provenance: The Everett Fisher Collection. One goal of the Pierce administration was to purchase Cuba from Spain, and the Ostend Manifesto was drafted in 1854 to describe the rationale. The plan came under attack for its advocacy of military intervention if Spain refused as well as its intention to make Cuba a â€Ëœslaveâ€â„¢ state. The public outcry forced Pierce to shelve his plans to annex Cuba and dealt a severe blow to his administration.