THE LAST SURVIVING SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
COMMENTS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1828:
“ANXIOUS FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COUNTRY MY ONLY WISH IS THAT
IT MAY FALL ON HIM WHOSE MEASURES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE PUBLIC GOOD”

CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON. Autograph Letter Signed to William M’Neir, Baltimore [MD], 25 May 1827. 1 page, 10" x 8", plus integral address leaf.

The Presidential election of 1828 would pit the incumbent, John Quincy Adams, against Andrew Jackson, two politicians who had run against each other in 1824 and whose forthcoming rematch was already clear in 1827. By that year, Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the last survivor among the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. A wealthy Maryland landowner and businessman, the 88-year-old Carroll writes here about the upcoming Presidential contest in answer to a question from an Annapolis printer, William M’Neir, who issued a newspaper known as The Carrolltonian, or, Spirit of Seventy-Six.

“I received yesterday your letter of the 23d,” Carroll notes. “I take no part in the contest respecting the election of the next President, of course. I give no opinion which of the candidates should be the choice of the people: anxious for the welfare of the country my only wish is that it may fall on him whose measures may be directed to the public good.

“I have requested Mr. Brice to get from you my account. I think one year’s of my subscription to the Carrolltonion is due, which Mr. Brice will pay out of the first monies belonging to me in his hands.” He has signed, “Ch. Carroll of Carrollton.”

Then, in a postscript, Carroll agrees to letting his views about the election be publicized. “I had just finished this letter when my grandson Mr. Ch[arles]. Harper called upon me. I communicated to him your letter to me & my answer; he desired me to permit him to take a copy of the first paragraph to insert in the evening’s paper of this day; that my sentiments respecting the presidential election may be more generally known. I consented to his request. C. C. of C.”

The letter is in good condition overall. There is an area in the lower right quadrant of the letter where the ink has run slightly, but all of the text at this spot is legible. The letter has also been backed with paper on the two blank inner leaves to repair fold breaks. $2500.00

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