Fillmore, Millard, Thirteenth President

Autograph letter signed ("Millard Fillmore"), 2 pages (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 250 x 200 mm), Washington, 2 January 1841, to A[lvah] Hunt, offering advice on an appointment, rumors about cabinet posts, and asking for news of New York State appointments. 

Autograph letter signed ("Millard Fillmore"), 2 pages (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 250 x 200 mm), Washington, 2 January 1841, to A[lvah] Hunt, offering advice on an appointment, rumors about cabinet posts, and asking for news of New York State appointments.
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Congressman Fillmore speculates about President-elect Harrison's cabinet appointments with his old friend and fellow-Whig Alvah Hunt.

Fillmore was at this point, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee while Hunt (d. 1858) was serving in the New York State Senate (1839-1842). Fillmore writes about the incoming Whig administration under William Henry Harrison: "Cabinet rumors have changed a little and within a few days. It now stands thus—[Daniel] Webster for State; Preston—War; Granger—Navy, Sergeant or Ewing—Treasury; Crittenden—Attorney General; and Bell—P[ost] M[aster] General."

Fillmore predictions were largely correct. Webster, Ewing, and Crittenden received the appointments he anticipated, and Granger was also selected for the cabinet, but as Postmaster General. George Edmund Badger of North Carolina was made Harrison's Secretary of the Navy, due to the influence that Fillmore noted of "the South Atlantic States insisting on a number."

Fillmore mentions his regret at learning of the illness of Mr. [Bates] Cook [the NYS Comptroller] and reveals he has no advice on a suitable successor. He also inquires for news of home state politics, suggesting that he was at this time considering a run for governor (to which office he was elected in 1844): "Permit me to hear from you again at your earliest convenience, and let me know who is to be Secretary of State if Mr. S. is appointed Comptroller."

He offers some corrections to errors concerning his family origins made in a "hasty letter to the New England Society ... My father was a native of Bennington Vermont and my mother of Berkshire Co. Mass."