Lot 98

Franklin Pierce ALS As President Days After Kansas-Nebraska Act With Bonus Excerpt!

Previous image preload Next image preload

Franklin Pierce ALS As President Days After Kansas-Nebraska Act With Bonus Excerpt!

Estimate: $600 - $700

Current Bid: $300

(5 Bids)

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

Franklin Pierce
Washington, DC, July 10, 1854
Franklin Pierce ALS As President Days After Kansas-Nebraska Act With Bonus Excerpt!
ALS

Autograph letter signed by President Franklin Pierce, written from Washington, DC, on July 10, 1854, and addressed to Charles O'Conor, one of New York's foremost legal minds. Pierce personally informs O'Conor just days after the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, that he has finally acted upon O'Conor's desire to be relieved of the burdens associated with the office of District Attorney and announces the nomination of a successor. Accompanied by a handwritten excerpt from a separate letter dated June 4th, 1853. The full letter measures 4.5" x 7.125".

The letter reads in full:

"My dear sir -

You will be glad to know that I have at length complied with your desire to be relieved from the burden of the office of District Attorney. I have just sent McKeon's name to the Senate to take effect from the 20th inst. Please do present my kindest regards to Mrs. O'C. and I am always

Your friend,

Frank Pierce"

This letter was written during the presidency of Franklin Pierce and is dated July 10, 1854, only forty-one days after Pierce signed the landmark Kansas-Nebraska Act into law on May 30, 1854. One of the most consequential and controversial pieces of legislation in antebellum America, the Act repealed key provisions of the Missouri Compromise and intensified the sectional tensions that would ultimately lead to the Civil War. Written amid this turbulent political climate, Pierce's correspondence reflects the ongoing business of his administration, including federal appointments and patronage. The recipient, Charles O'Conor (1804-1884), was among the nineteenth century's most distinguished constitutional lawyers. Renowned for his legal scholarship and courtroom advocacy, O'Conor would later gain national prominence through his opposition to the Tweed Ring and his 1872 presidential candidacy as the nominee of the Straight-Out Democratic Party.

President Franklin Pierce appointed McKeon as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he served from 1854 to 1858. During his tenure, he prosecuted high-profile cases, including the seizure of the filibustering ship Northern Light and attempts to enlist men into the British Army during the Crimean War.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 4.5" x 7.125"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000