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📜 1852 William A. Graham Autograph Letter Signed to Hamilton Fish — Real Estate Transaction Between Cabinet Members During the Whig Party’s Final Days
Offered here is a remarkable and historically rich Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) from William A. Graham, then-Secretary of the Navy and 1852 Whig Vice Presidential nominee, addressed to Hamilton Fish, the former Governor of New York and future U.S. Secretary of State. Dated August 2, 1852, this letter was written during the height of the 1852 presidential campaign and details the sale of Graham’s Washington residence to Fish for $9,000—a substantial sum at the time.
The letter references prominent political contemporaries, including George Edmund Badger and likely William R. King, providing rare insight into the private dealings and interpersonal trust among the political elite of antebellum America. This is a firsthand document of transition, written just months before the Whig Party’s crushing defeat in the November election, after which it would collapse as a national force.
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📜 Full Transcription:
Washington
Aug. 2nd, 1852
My Dear Sir,
I left the deed for the House & Lots, in the hands of my friend, Mr. Badger, with a request to deliver to you, and receive your check for $9,000, the balance of the purchase money. Mr. King is, I believe, now in possession of the old house, the old gardener, & I have sent my minus & remaining furniture, and who will send them to Mr. Beebe or myself—
Hoping that I may occasionally have the pleasure to hear from you in the progress of the political campaign,
I am very truly and faithfully yours,
Will. A. Graham
Hon. Hamilton Fish
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📘 Biographies of Key Figures:
William A. Graham (1804–1875)
A respected North Carolina statesman, Graham served as Governor, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of the Navy (1850–1852) under President Millard Fillmore. In 1852, he was chosen as the Whig Vice Presidential nominee, running with Gen. Winfield Scott. Though the ticket lost to Franklin Pierce, Graham remained a symbol of moderate Southern Unionism during the turbulent lead-up to the Civil War.
Hamilton Fish (1808–1893)
A political titan, Fish was Governor of New York, U.S. Senator, and later served as Secretary of State under Ulysses S. Grant, playing a key role in Reconstruction-era diplomacy. Known for his moderation and diplomacy, Fish helped shape 19th-century American foreign policy and was a trusted figure across party lines.
George E. Badger (1795–1866)
A fellow North Carolinian, Badger served as Secretary of the Navy under President Harrison and later as a U.S. Senator. He was a leading legal mind of his day and part of the same Whig elite circle as Graham and Fish.
William R. King (1786–1853) (likely referenced as “Mr. King” in the letter)
A longtime Senator from Alabama and key Democratic figure, King became Vice President under Franklin Pierce but died shortly after taking office. Despite party differences, he maintained personal friendships with many Whigs, including Graham.
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📚 Historical Importance:
This letter offers direct insight into the personal and financial arrangements between two of the most powerful men in the United States during a time of great political upheaval. The $9,000 property sale—nearly $350,000 in today’s dollars—was likely for Graham’s Washington, D.C. residence, sold as he prepared to leave public office or transition in light of the uncertain political future.
It also illustrates how political alliances transcended party lines, with prominent Whigs like Graham and Fish coordinating closely with Democrats like King. These personal networks were crucial to diplomacy, campaign coordination, and succession planning in the capital.
Importantly, the letter was penned just three months before the 1852 election, which would result in the collapse of the Whig Party and the rise of new political forces that would shape the Civil War era.
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🖊️ Condition:
2-page ALS on a single folded sheet
Bold, dark signature of William A. Graham
Some tearing along fold lines but text remains fully legible
Addressed on the back to “Hon. Hamilton Fish”
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💰 A Rare Opportunity:
Letters with such rich political provenance, high-profile correspondents, and direct references to property, campaign activity, and interpersonal political trust are uncommon. This letter would make a powerful addition to any collection focused on:
19th-century American politics
Whig Party history
Civil War prelude materials
U.S. Cabinet and Vice Presidential figures
Don’t miss this chance to own an authentic piece of America’s political legacy.
