Franklin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed as President

ALS as president, six pages, 4.5 x 7, May 29, 1855. Handwritten letter to his private White House secretary Sidney Webster, in full: "Your letter of the 12th from Lexington came last week and this morning Mrs. Pierce was gratified to get that of the 16th from Loisville [sic] on the very day that she received your first letter. She answered it and directed to Louisville. It ought to have met you there. I rode by Mr. Riggs a few evenings since & saw him and the children who were about to take a ride all in good health. Judge Gilchrist and Judge Minot have gone to N.H. the latter to return in two weeks & Judge G. about the first of July. Charles Packard has not been here yet but will come next week if desired. Mrs. Smith is to leave tomorrow for Boston with her sister Mrs. McGregor. Not a single letter has for you has [sic] arrived since your departure—but I have heard from your friends at the east thro' Genl. Penslee—Colo. George came in upon us at tea last night unexpectedly of course but it was very pleasant to see him. He is sitting by writing a note to you which I shall inclose with this. We have formed no plans, for absence yet but I have been thinking a little of paying a short visit to Mrs. P. Taylor of Carolina about the middle of June. Forney informed me yesterday that he might probably leave here tomorrow with Mrs. Hoover with the hope of joining you at Louisville. I hope you do not allow your thoughts to turn upon any matters except such as are pleasant to dwell upon. You must make the most of your journey and take just as much time as you want. Give my kindest regards to Mr. Riggs. Mrs. Pierce joins me in expressions of affectionate interest in whatever concerns you." Pierce adds a postscript: "Do not fail to see our old friend Asa Wilgus Esq. at St. Louis. You will of course express to him & his wife & kin if you see them the sincere interest with which they are always remembered by me." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed mailing envelope.

Josiah Minot (1818-1891) was a law partner of Pierce between the years 1844 and 1852. Pierce, who had a talent for making money as a lawyer but not for retaining it, later entrusted Minot, a first-class businessman and manager, to oversee all of his finances and investments. When Pierce became president in 1853, Minot accompanied him to Washington and, in due time, was appointed as Auditor of the Treasury, and then, as Commissioner of Patents.