U.S. Presidents & First Ladies
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, born in 1791 in Pennsylvania, became the 15th president of the United States in 1857. A skilled diplomat, he believed the issue of slavery should be left to the states and supported the disastrous Dred Scot Supreme Court decision, mistakenly thinking it would resolve sectional tensions. Instead, it deepened national divisions and Buchanan failed to stop Southern secession. After leaving office in 1861, Buchanan retired to private life and passed in 1868, regarded as one of the nation’s most criticized presidents. This letter was from 1850, one of his few years as a private citizen.
September 5, 1850
U.S. Senator Willie P. Mangum
I have a favor to ask of you which I know you will grant “for the sake of auld lang syne” should you consider it compatible with your duty. I do not know whether you are acquainted with Dr. Foltz who is a surgeon in the navy; but if not, you would find him to be an agreeable and intelligent gentleman, an excellent surgeon as well as physician. He has seen much sea service in distant and comparatively disagreeable stations and has always acquitted himself so as to give satisfaction to the Department and to the officers and men with whom he has been associated. In truth he has been one of the working men in the navy and has never endeavored to skulk duty. At present he seems to have fixed his heart on being ordered to the new Steamer Susquehanna, at Philadelphia, which will be flag ship of the Home Squadron. Commodore Parker, I understand, would be much gratified with his appointment. If you or Wm. Badger would give him “a lift” consistently with what you may deem to be your duty, I should feel greatly obliged. I have taken the liberty of writing to William Graham upon the subject, hoping that from our ancient and agreeable association in the Senate, he would not consider this intrusive.
James Buchanan
