Taylor, Zachary. Autograph letter signed to Roger Jones, Baton Rouge, LA, 10 February 1841

TAYLOR, ZACHARY

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("Z. TAYLOR") TO ROGER JONES, LONGTIME ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ARMY, ANTICIPATING THE INAUGURATION OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON AND DISPARAGING PRESIDENT MARTIN VAN BUREN

4 pages (9 7/8 x 7 3/4 in.; 251 x 197 mm) on a bifolium, address leaf in Taylor's hand, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 10 February 1841, with three engraved portraits; address leaf torn at seal, scattered minor losses, repaired at creases. 

Writing to an old army friend just three weeks before the inauguration of William Henry Harrison as president. As a young officer, Taylor had served under Harrison on the frontier. Here he expresses great satisfaction at the impending change of administration and proclaims a litany of grievances against Van Buren. Taylor goes so far as to suggest the possibility of armed revolt should a change in leadership not have been effected:

"There are few events which could afford me more real gratification than meeting you & other of my friends in Washington on the fourth of March next to witness the inauguration of President Harrison which event I look upon as a triumph of principles over power; a revolution next in importance to the country to that of achieving by our ancestors separation & independence from England brought about by the force of reason through the ballot box without a drop of blood having been spilled or a riot of serious character taken place throughout the whole country in consequence of the same."