Lot 125: GRATIOT, CHARLES Autograph Letter Signed, 1838, with franked address panel.

GRATIOT, CHARLES American soldier and public official (1786-1855); served as Gen. W.H. Harrison's chief engineer during the War of 1812; built Ft. Meigs and rebuilt Ft. St. Joseph; later, Chief of Engineers for the US Army and a clerk at the General Land Office. Autograph Letter Signed "C. Gratiot" as Chief of Engineers, 1/2 page, 4to, Washington, February 21, 1838. He writes Dr. M.C. Buck of the same city, "I have delayed a reply to your letter...in hopes of receiving Genl. [Winfield] Scott's application Endorsed on the back of Prof: Haddeman's certificate. It has not, as yet, reached the Dept. & should it come in before Mr. Robinson makes a nommination [sic], your wishes respecting it will be complied with..." Some discolorations at right edge, otherwise in very good condition. With integral panel bearing an Autograph Frank "Free / C. Gratiot," addressed in the general's hand. It is unclear what nomination is alluded to here, though Mr. Robinson is probably Senator John M. Robinson of Maine, chairman of the committee on the militia. Just two months after this letter, President Van Buren sent General Scott to Georgia, where he broke up the Cherokee nation, forcing thousands to move west. The president later removed General Gratiot from his post when the engineer was unable to repay government funds that had been in his charge.