John C. Calhoun Autograph Letter Signed as Secretary of War--May 3rd, 1820

John C. Calhoun Autograph Letter Signed as Secretary of War--May 3rd, 1820

Single-page letter on bifolium sheet, 8 x 10 inches. Previous folds. Light toning and slight separation at folds. Very Good Condition.

Letter (likely secretarial) from Secretary of War John C. Calhoun to Robert Earp of Philadelphia. Calhoun writes denying Earp's request for Calhoun to re-visit a claim Earp has made. "...after full examination am of opinion, that, the decision of the Commissary General in the case is correct." Earp further petitioned Calhoun to turn the decision over to "impartial men", or "subject to a jury" with Calhoun refusing both suggestions.

We find no record of what the dispute was--Robert Muir (1789-1848) was a hardware merchant, served as a Director of the Kensington Bank and served on a number of civic committees in Philadelphia.

John C. Calhoun led a long and varied life in public service including: member of the House of Representatives, United States Secretary of War from 1817-1825, Secretary of State under John Tyler, Senator, and Vice President under John Quincy Adams. Calhoun holds the dubious distinction of being the first of only two Vice-Presidents to resign; Spiro Agnew the other.