Western Portraiture and Emigrants’ Guide: A Description of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa.

CURTISS, Daniel S. [Millard Fillmore].

Item Number: 81262

New York: J. H. Colton, 1852.

First edition of Daniel C. Curtiss’ survey of the midwestern United States from the library of Millard Fillmore with his ownership signature to the front panel, “Millard Fillmore, June 1st, 1854 $1.” Octavo, original cloth, blind stamping to the front and rear panels, gilt titles to the spine, folding map at rear. In very good condition.

The 12th Vice President, United States , Millard Fillmore, was elevated to the presidency in 1850 by the death of President Zachary Taylor. Born into relative poverty in upstate New York, he became a prominent lawyer and politician in the Buffalo area and a Whig as the party formed in the 1830s in opposition to the policies of Andrew Jackson. During the American Civil War, Fillmore was critical of Lincoln's war policies and openly denounced secession, asserting that the Union must be maintained by force if necessary. As President he was instrumental in passing the Compromise of 1850 which led to a brief truce in the conflict between slave and free states which divided the Union and strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act which provided for the return of slaves who escaped from one state into another territory.