ALS. One page handwritten bifolium letter from Tennessee Governor James K. Polk (1795-1849), 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849, Nashville, TN, addressed to William M. Lowry, Greeneville, Greene County, TN, dated March 23, 1841. Composed during his last year in office as the 9th Governor of Tennessee, Polk writes "My Dear Sir, I have received your letter–and have only time to enclose to you the [opinion?] of the Editors of the Union–for the Plain Dealer, and to say–that I open the [council or congress] on Saturday next at Murfreesboro–in buoyant spirit, and confident of suce[s]s,–if I can be only reasonably sustained by the local candidates. You will see from the newspapers–that I will be with my competitors at his appointments in East Tenne[s]see, as far as my official duties will permit.– Yours Truly James K Polk." Addressed to Lowry with blue ink Nashville, TN postmark stamp, illegible date, en verso. Letter: 10" H x 16" W. Note: William M. Lowry was on the original board of trustees when Tusculum Academy, founded by Dr. Samuel Doak in 1818, was incorporated and became Tusculum College.

PROVENANCE: By descent from the estate of Stanley Horn, Nashville, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Obverse of letter with multiple old scotch tape repairs to fold lines, largest 8 1/8" x 3/4", with resulting acid burn; tears, largest 1/4", to fold lines; scattered foxing spots, toning, waviness, later pencil inscriptions; otherwise legible condition. Ending flourish to Polk signature is affected by scotch tape acid burn. Reverse of letter with 7 1/2" x 1 7/8" area of loss to left side, toning, foxing spots, general handling wear, later ink and pencil inscriptions.