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Collection Reference Number GLC00948
From Archive Folder Documents Relating to 1859 
Title John Tyler to his son Robert Tyler touching on slavery, the presidential election, his portrait and politics
Date 8 March 1859
Author Tyler, John (1790-1862)  
Recipient Tyler, Robert  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Writes a letter to his son in which he touches the issue of slavery and the election of 1860. Discusses "Healy's portrait of me" as admirable and being "often mortified at the misrepresentations of me which are occasionally seen in the print shops." Discusses the plans and character of James Semple. In regard to current affairs he writes: "The Country, I fear, is in a bad state." Attributes the dissension among Democrats as "about a mere abstraction." Comments that "A cotton region will have slaves, while a grazing country [western territories] does not want them." Predicts a Democratic loss in the election. Docketed twice, once in black ink with date and once in blue, with subject of the letter.
Subjects African American History  President  Election  Slavery  Art, Music, Theater, and Film  Politics  Democratic Party  Cotton  Agriculture and Animal Husbandry  Westward Expansion  
People Tyler, John (1790-1862)  Tyler, Robert (1816-1877)  
Place written Sherwood Forest, Virginia
Theme Children & Family; Slavery & Abolition; Government & Politics; The Presidency; Westward Expansion; Agriculture
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information Semple was President Tyler's son-in-law.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
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