Description
President Millard Fillmore’s copy of the Eulogy On Gen. Zachary Taylor, whose untimely death would elevate him to the presidency. Octavo, 57pp. Brown paper wraps with title printed on cover. Contemporary green hardcover boards. Internally fine. Housed in brown cloth chemise with title on label affixed to front cover. Inscribed by Charles A. Poulson, a Philadelphia antiquarian: “To His Exy Millard Fillmore, President of the United States, from His obt. Sert. Chas. A. Poulson. Phila. Jany 6th, 1851.”
Comments: At the July 4th celebrations of 1850, President Zachary Taylor was said to consume a large quantity of fruit and iced milk. He came down with intestinal issues and died five days later. Upon his death, the recipient of this pamphlet, Vice President Millard Fillmore, assumed the presidency. Within months of assuming the presidency, Fillmore signed the Compromise of 1850, which had been opposed by President Tyler. The Compromise of 1850 temporarily settled the slavery issue in the United States and postponed the Civil War by 10 years.
