James K. Polk Papers mssPolk

Melissa Haley
The Huntington Library
May 2021
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: James K. Polk papers
Creator: Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849
Identifier/Call Number: mssPolk
Physical Description: 2.34 Linear Feet (2 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1790-1889
Abstract: This collection primarily consists of correspondence and notes of James K. Polk, dating from 1844 to 1849, and correspondence of his wife Sarah Childress Polk, dating from 1883 to 1889.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. James K. Polk papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Mrs. James W. Fertig, 1949.

Biographical / Historical

James K. Polk (November 2, 1795-June 15, 1849), the eleventh President of the United States, was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, the son of a farmer and enslaver. The family relocated to Tennessee, where Polk was admitted to the bar in 1820 and was elected to the state legislature in 1823. He served as a congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1825 to 1839, becoming speaker of the house in 1835. Polk was elected governor of Tennessee in 1839 but failed in his bids for reelection in 1841 and 1843.
In 1844, he was elected president as a Democrat with an agenda that supported territorial expansion. Polk's administration was involved in a boundary dispute with Great Britain over the Oregon territory, settling the border with Canada at the 49th parallel in 1846 with the Oregon Treaty. That same year, the United States declared war on Mexico following the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845 and the subsequent disputes with Mexico over national boundaries. The war ended in a U.S. victory with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in February 1848, which gave the U.S. control over Texas and established the border at the Rio Grande River. The treaty also added the Mexican Cession territory to the U.S. which would comprise the future states of California, Nevada, and Utah; most of Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado; and portions of Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Polk had opposed the Wilmot Proviso, a failed congressional provision to ban slavery from territories acquired from Mexico; he supported the expansion of slavery and the rights of enslavers. In financial matters, Polk secured passage of the Walker Tariff Act in 1846 and successfully reestablished an independent treasury. He created the Department of the Interior in March 1849.
Polk owned cotton plantations in Tennessee and Mississippi and enslaved over 55 laborers. Polk married Sarah Childress (1803-1891) in 1824; the couple had no children. He returned to Tennessee following his single presidential term and died there three months later of cholera.

Scope and Contents

This collection primarily consists of correspondence and notes of James K. Polk, dating from 1844 to 1849, and correspondence of his wife Sarah Childress Polk, dating from 1883 to 1889; a 19th century copy of Polk's 1849 will is also present. Polk's correspondence discusses politics, plans for his presidency, and the collectorship of New York. His notes on newspaper articles concern Martin Van Buren; Benjamin Tappan, Francis P. Blair and the annexation of Texas; and the Wilmot Proviso. The collection also contains several newspaper articles from 1846 regarding the Oregon boundary dispute, a copy of Senator Arthur Bagby's 1845 open letter to the people of Alabama concerning the annexation of Texas, and an 1849 extract from a French newspaper about events in the United States. Sarah Childress Polk's correspondence primarily concerns biographical sketches of herself and her late husband, with several letters from George Bancroft. In addition, the collection contains a note regarding a Congressional report on title endorsed by James Madison, 1790.

Processing Information

This collection was reprocessed in 2021 by Melissa Haley as part of the American Presidential Papers Project. Previously assigned item-level call numbers have been retained; material was rehoused during reprocessing. The number of pages for each item is noted in parentheses in item-level Scope and Contents notes. Page count includes enclosures and envelopes if annotated by Polk.
Previously assigned legacy terminology regarding autograph status was retained; items marked autograph indicate the item is in the handwriting of the author of the letter or document. The term docket generally refers to an item's label created at the time for filing purposes.

Related Materials

The Huntington Library holds a number of individual James K. Polk items, see library catalog for details.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Oregon -- History -- 19th century
Texas -- Annexation to the United States
United States -- Politics and Government -- 1841-1845
United States -- Politics and Government -- 1845-1849
Clippings (information artifacts) -- United States -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Bancroft, George, 1800-1891
Polk, Sarah Childress, 1803-1891

Box 1, Folder 1

James Madison note regarding 1st Congress, 2nd Session, report on title by committees of House and Senate, Washington, D.C. HM 28824 1790 May

Scope and Contents

Manuscript notes; second note in hand of Madison (begins "communicated May 14"). (1 page)
Box 1, Folder 2

George Given, Philadelphia, letter to James K. Polk (copy) HM 28825 1844 September 24

Scope and Contents

Twentieth-century handwritten copy. Also present is an original newspaper clipping about Given. (4 pages)
Box 1, Folder 3

James K. Polk, Washington, D.C., letter to Robert J. Walker, Washington, D.C. HM 28828 1845 March

Scope and Contents

Letter signed, with addressed cover. Regarding politics, plans and policies for his presidency. (2 pages)
Box 1, Folder 4

James K. Polk, Washington, D.C., letter to Michael Hoffman, New York HM 28829 1845 May 27

Scope and Contents

Letter. Regarding the collectorship of New York. Marked private and confidential. (4 pages)
Box 1, Folder 5

James K. Polk notes regarding annexation of Texas HM 28830 1845?

Scope and Contents

Autograph draft. (2 pages)
Box 1, Folder 6, Box 2, Folder 8

"The Oregon Negotiation" newspaper articles HM 28826 1846 October, November

Scope and Contents

Includes copies of articles "The Oregon Negotiation" numbers 1-9 from the Pennsylvanian newspaper, Philadelphia, sent by publisher John W. Forney. Copy 1 is a manuscript draft, approximately 1846 October; also includes James K. Polk autograph docket on envelope regarding articles and correspondence with Forney, 1849. (6 pages) Copies 2-9 are clippings from the newspaper (located in box 2).
Box 1, Folder 7

James K. Polk notes on New York Evening Post articles HM 28831 1848 August 1, 4

Scope and Contents

Autograph notes written on envelopes. August 1 note signed with initials. Articles regarding Martin Van Buren; Benjamin Tappan, Francis P. Blair and the annexation of Texas. Includes clippings of articles. (4 pages)
Box 1, Folder 8

Thomas Ritchie letter to James K. Polk HM 28836 1848 October 4

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter signed. Is sending reports of Free Soil Party meetings at St. Louis and New York. Includes autograph note by Polk on docketed envelope. Enclosures referred to in letter are not included. (2 pages)
Box 1, Folder 9

Arthur P. Bagby, Washington, D.C., letter to the people of Alabama HM 28820 approximately 1848

Scope and Contents

Contemporary copy taken from a Mobile newspaper of an open letter regarding the annexation of Texas, 1845 November 15. Also includes autograph note by Polk on docketed envelope, 1848 October 11. (32 pages)
Box 1, Folder 10

Translated extract from Journal des Debats, 1849 February 11 HM 28839 1849

Scope and Contents

Translated extract from the French newspaper Journal des Debats regarding the United States, sent to Polk by George Bancroft. Also includes autograph note by Polk on docketed envelope, 1849 April 6. (6 pages)
Box 1, Folder 11

James K. Polk notes on Washington Union article HM 28832 1849 February 22

Scope and Contents

Autograph notes initialed on docketed envelope. Includes clipping of the Washington Union article, which pertains to the Wilmot Proviso. (2 pages)
Box 1, Folder 12

George Bancroft, Newport, Rhode Island, letter to Sarah Childress Polk HM 28822 1883 August 29

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter signed. (3 pages)
Box 1, Folder 13

George Bancroft, Washington, D.C., letter to Mrs. S.P. Fall HM 28823 1886 April 7

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter signed. (2 pages)
Box 2, Folder 1

George Bancroft letters to Sarah Childress Polk HM 28821 (1-9) 1887, 1889

Scope and Contents

Includes four autograph letters signed, 1887 August 8, August 18; 1889 April 16, May 9 (6 pages total). Also includes notes and receipts relating to biography of James K. Polk, 1887, 1889, undated.
Box 2, Folder 2

Washington C. Whitthorne, Washington, D.C., letter to Sarah Childress Polk HM 28838 1888 February 11

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter signed, with envelope. (2 pages)
Box 2, Folder 3

Sarah Childress Polk, Nashville, letters to James Grant Wilson, New York HM 28834 1888 February

Scope and Contents

Two autograph letters signed, 1888 February 27 and February 28?. (6 pages total) Also includes items relating to Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography, including three letters to Polk from Wilson and J.W. Weidemeyer, 1888 February, genealogical notes, and a form.
Box 2, Folder 4

James K. Polk copy of will of 1849 February 28 HM 28833 1888 March

Scope and Contents

Handwritten copy with seal of Davidson County Court, Tennessee. (10 pages)
Box 2, Folder 5

Joseph E. Washington, Washington, D.C., letter to George W. Fall, Nashville HM 28837 1888 August 24

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter signed, with envelope. Letter regarding James K. Polk's papers. (2 pages)
Box 2, Folder 6

Sarah Childress Polk, Nashville, letter to Occie Brooks, St. Louis HM 28835 1888?

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter, undated, with note of Brooks' address. (3 pages) Also includes letter from Occie Brooks to Sarah Childress Polk, February 25, with envelope postmarked 1888. (4 pages)
Box 2, Folder 7

Ella Whitthorne Harvey, Baltimore, letter to George W. Fall, Nashville HM 28827 1889 January 15

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter signed, with envelope. (2 pages)
Box 2, Folder 8

Newspaper clippings 1839, 1848, undated