Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

James Buchanan. 1791-1868, 15th President 1857-61. Manuscript free frank "Free James Buchanan" as President on cover addressed in his hand to John Jordan in Philadelphia Pa., partial "Washington D.C. 'Free' May 23 1857" integral cds; tiny corner tear and bit of flap missing, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Buchanan served during the War of 1812. He was a Pennsylvania Congressman, Minister to Russia, Senator, Secretary of State under Polk and Minister to Great Britain. He defeated Republican John Fremont in 1856 by promising continued stability between the North and South. During his administration, he ignored victims of the economic Panic of 1857 and left the secession of the Southern states to Lincoln.