SUMMARY: Taylor's dughter Betty
Bliss who served as stand-in First Lady writes friend using Presidential
Free Frank illegally. Price:$3900.00
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Zachary
Taylor (1784 –1850).
Also known as "Old Rough and Ready," was the twelfth
President of the United States, serving from 1849 to 1850. Taylor
was noted for his extensive military career and for becoming
the first President not previously elected to any other public
office. He was the second president to die in office.Shown here
is a Z. Taylor Free Frank (FF) that is in excellent condition
but that is the beginning of the story for this FF.
Taylor's wife Margaret almost
refused to go to Washington because she was tired of moving so
many times as an army wife. However, she eventually did accompany
her husband after he was elected. Apparently she went to Washington
in body but not in spirit so she declined for the most part to
serve as First Lady. As a consequence her daughter, Elizabeth
Taylor Bliss (married to Taylor's adjutant and secretary Colonel.
William W.S.Bliss), filled in for her on many occasions. The
above FF was used by Betty Bliss to send a family letter to a
cousin Mrs. William Taylor in Mobile Alabama. The letter, dated
April 1, 1850 (three months before Taylor died) and the letter
was written from Washington. The letter begins
with "commit this to the flames as soon
as read":
The letter deals almost exclusively
with family matters and the daughter mentions her husband Colonel.
Bliss in the text which identifies the writer of this letter
with certainty. It is clear that Taylor's daughter knew she was
using a presidential franking privilege illegally based on the
admonition to her cousin to read and then burn the letter because
the straight forward contents of the letter do not suggest that
there was any other reason to do so.We will never know whether
the President also knew what his daughter was up to. The letter
mentions that a copy of a speech given by Mr. Webster
was enclosed (Undoubtedly Daniel Webster who died in 1852). The
letter is on a two page bi-fold 6 in x 8 in writing sheet with
writing on recto and verso of both sheets, The letter is in excellent
condition and most of it is easily readable. Where oh where were
Woodward and Bernstein?-corruption at the highest level!!
The letter is signed Betty
T. Bliss.
Items documenting illegal activities
by a president seldom appear on the market. The letter and free
frank will be come with a letter of authenticity
as to their origin, history
and authenticity.
Price: $3,900.00
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