Title:
James Buchanan Autograph Endorsement Signed (“Referred to the Secretary of the Treasury”), February 7, 1861, Washington, D.C. — PSA LOA AR02387

Description:
Autograph Endorsement Signed by President James Buchanan, penned on the verso of a Resolution of the United States Senate dated February 6, 1861. Two pages, measuring approximately 8” x 12.75”, Washington, D.C., February 7, 1861. The endorsement, written entirely in Buchanan’s hand, reads:

“7 Feb: 1861. Referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.
James Buchanan”

The Senate resolution, in full, states:

“In Executive Session
Senate of the United States:
February 6th, 1861.
Resolved, that the President of the United States be requested to return to the Senate the nomination of Ralph Gurnee, to be Collector of the Customs for the District of Sackett's Harbor, in the State of New York, in the place of William Howland, removed; whose appointment the Senate advised and consented to on the 1st of February Inst.
Attest: / Asbury Dickins / Secretary.”

Expected mailing and file folds are present, not affecting Buchanan’s bold signature. Light soiling is visible along the edges, consistent with age and official handling. The manuscript remains clear and fully legible, with strong ink contrast in Buchanan’s endorsement.

Historical Context:
This endorsement was written during the final, tumultuous weeks of President James Buchanan’s administration, as the nation teetered on the brink of Civil War. On December 20, 1860, Buchanan nominated Ralph Gurnee to replace William Howland as Collector of Customs at Sackett’s Harbor, New York. The Senate confirmed the nomination on February 1, 1861. However, on February 6, 1861, Senator Preston King of New York introduced a resolution requesting the President return the nomination, and the Senate passed it.

The following day, Buchanan endorsed this resolution and referred it to Secretary of the Treasury John A. Dix, who had assumed office only weeks earlier. Dix would soon gain national fame for his defiant telegram ordering that if anyone attempted to haul down the American flag, they should be shot “on the spot”—a declaration that resonated powerfully in the North as Southern states seized federal property.

The returned nomination was received by the Senate on February 12, and although reconsidered, no final action was taken before the close of the session. The episode reflects the political instability and administrative disruptions that marked the closing days of Buchanan’s presidency. Within weeks, Abraham Lincoln would assume office, and the federal patronage landscape would shift dramatically.

Documents signed in February 1861—just one month before Lincoln’s inauguration and the outbreak of open hostilities at Fort Sumter—are particularly significant, capturing the final administrative actions of a deeply embattled presidency at the very edge of national fracture.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
PSA Letter of Authenticity dated February 6, 2026. Certification No. AR02387. PSA has examined the document and determined that the handwriting and signature are authentic and entirely in Buchanan’s hand. A tamper-evident PSA authentication sticker with matching certification number accompanies the item.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This is an exceptional presidential endorsement from the final month of James Buchanan’s administration, signed at a pivotal moment in American history. With its direct connection to pre–Civil War political maneuvering, Treasury Secretary John A. Dix, and the shifting federal appointments of early 1861, the document offers a tangible glimpse into the fragile machinery of government on the eve of secession and war. Authenticated by PSA and fully transcribed, it stands as both a historically rich manuscript and a compelling acquisition for advanced collectors of presidential and Civil War–era Americana.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.