ALBERT GALLATIN
(January 29, 1761-August 12, 1849) was a leader of the Democratic-Republican
Party who served in various federal elective and appointed positions over four
decades. He represented Pennsylvania in the Senate and House of Representatives
before becoming the longest-tenured U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and the
highest-ranking diplomat. Born in
Geneva, he immigrated to the United States in the 1780s. Gallatin was an
opponent of Alexander Hamilton’s economic policies and was elected to the U.S.
Senate in 1793. Gallatin was ousted when
his opponents pointed out that he did not meet the required nine years of
citizenship. He returned to Pennsylvania and helped calm angry farmers during
the Whiskey Rebellion. He returned to
Congress in 1795 after winning election to the House of Representatives, where
he became chief spokesman on financial matters for the Democratic-Republican
Party and led opposition to the Federalist economic program. His mastery of
public finance led President Thomas Jefferson to select him as Secretary of the
Treasury. Gallatin also served under President James Madison. He later served on the American Commission
that agreed to the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. Gallatin
served as Ambassador to France from 1816 to 1823. In the election of 1824,
Gallatin was nominated for Vice President, but was forced to withdraw because
he lacked popular support. In 1826 and 1827, Gallatin served as ambassador to
Britain.
Offering a single page, 7 ¾ x 9 ¾, autograph letter to President James Madison signed in the message, accepting Monroe’s invitation to dinner, “Mr. Gallatin will do himself the honor to dine with the President of the United States on Thursday next.
“March 11th, 1816”
With the address leaf, “The President of the United States.”
Noted in pencil, “Albert Gallatin to Mr. Madison from the Dolly Madison Papers.”
Provenance John Reznikoff, University Archives.
Expected toning. Edge folds splits reinforced with archival tape.
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