Fillmore, Millard (1800-1874) to Solomon G. Haven
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04906 Author/Creator: Fillmore, Millard (1800-1874) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 December 1839 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses a debate at the opening of the 26th Congress. When New Jersey's representative seats were contested and the House was unable to count a full quorum to make necessary organizational decisions, issues such as states' rights and nullification entered a premature dialogue in the House of Representatives. He begins with the comment, "Here we are yet debating an impalpable abstraction." A member from Georgia, Cooper, "is now enlightening us on the sovereignty of the states, alias nullification." Fillmore compares the beginning of the 26th Congress, to the birth of a baby. He calls the congress a "new child," that will " ... come forth in its full strength before the doctors can agree whether it is possible for it to be born."
Millard Fillmore was a lawyer in Buffalo, New York and served in the House of Representatives from 1833-1835 and 1837-1843. He was appointed state comptroller in 1848 and was elected Vice President under Zachary Taylor. Taylor's death made Fillmore the U.S. President in 1850. He did not run for election on his own record in 1852, but ran unsuccessfully as the Kno-Nothing Party candidate for President in 1856.
Solomon Haven joined the law offices of Fillmore & Hall in 1835 and became a partner in the firm in 1837. He was also a neighbor of Fillmore in Buffalo. He was appointed district attorney for Erie County in 1843, and was elected as mayor of Buffalo in 1846. While Fillmore was U.S. President, Haven served in Congress.
House of Rep. Dec. 4. 1839
20 mi. to 3 P.M.
Dear Haven,
Here we are yet debating an impalpable abstraction. When it will end time will determine. A new member from Geo. by the name of [Mark Anthony] Cooper is now enlightening us on the Sovereignty of the States, alias, nullification. [Daniel] Barnard of Albany has just finished a very statesmanlike argument. But all amounts to nothing as we have not as [inserted: yet] been able to decide who can vote or whether any one can. But necessity will doubtless furnish a law at length by which this new child, the House of Rep. of the 26th Congress will be ushered into this breathing world and commence its important functions. But such a labor has scarcely been known since Caesar himself was born - Midwives all differ in opinion and the danger is that the child will finally come forth in its full strength before the doctors can agree whether it is possible for it to be born - Doct. Stop was never more at fault.
Nothing new - Weather more fair and more cold. Nothing from you today.
Yours Fillmore
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