Title:
Millard Fillmore Affixes Seal to Letter to Queen Victoria after the Queen Eases Tensions with the United States and Forces the Recall of British Minister Sir Henry Bulwer after the California Gold Rush– February 27, 1852 – PSA/DNA Certified

Description:
Remarkable presidential document signed by Millard Fillmore as President of the United States, dated Washington, February 27, 1852. Entirely penned in elegant manuscript script and boldly signed “Millard Fillmore,” the document authorizes the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to official correspondence addressed to Queen Victoria concerning the diplomatic recall of British minister Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer.

The document reads in full:

“I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to the envelope of a letter to Queen Victoria, in answer to one received from Her Majesty, announcing Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer’s recall, dated this day, and signed by me; and for so doing this shall be his warrant.”

Signed: “Millard Fillmore”
“Washington. 27th Feby. 1852.”

The manuscript remains exceptionally attractive, featuring refined presidential penmanship and a large, flowing Fillmore signature. The document displays beautifully within its PSA/DNA encapsulation, with excellent eye appeal overall. The reverse exhibits expected areas of mounting remnants and paper toning from prior archival storage, none of which detract significantly from the impressive presentation of the signed text on the front.

Historical Context:
This document relates directly to a significant diplomatic dispute between the United States and Great Britain during the Fillmore administration involving Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, the British minister to the United States. Bulwer served in Washington from 1849 to 1852 during a period of mounting Anglo-American tensions concerning Central America, British territorial influence, and the future of a possible interoceanic canal route through Nicaragua.

Following the California Gold Rush and the rapid expansion of American commercial interests in the Pacific, Central America became strategically critical to both nations. Britain already maintained influence in the region through its presence along the Mosquito Coast and in British Honduras, while many Americans feared further British expansion in the Western Hemisphere.

To reduce tensions, the United States and Great Britain negotiated the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850, agreeing that neither nation would exclusively control or fortify a future canal through Central America. Although intended as a diplomatic compromise, disagreements over interpretation quickly emerged. American officials increasingly believed Britain continued to exert excessive influence in the region despite the treaty’s terms.

Sir Henry Bulwer himself became a controversial figure in Washington. Secretary of State Daniel Webster and members of the Fillmore administration reportedly viewed him as combative, overly assertive, and improperly involved in American political affairs and press influence. Relations between Bulwer and the administration deteriorated steadily, ultimately prompting the British government to recall him in 1852 rather than allow the dispute to worsen further.

Queen Victoria formally notified President Fillmore of Bulwer’s recall, directly leading to the creation of this document authorizing the official presidential response. As such, this manuscript represents more than a routine executive authorization; it is a tangible artifact tied to a genuine diplomatic rupture between the United States and Great Britain during one of the most sensitive periods in nineteenth-century foreign policy.

Millard Fillmore, serving as the 13th President of the United States from 1850 to 1853, presided over a nation balancing sectional conflict at home while carefully managing delicate international relationships abroad. Documents involving direct communication between an American president and the British Crown are exceptionally desirable, particularly those specifically referencing Queen Victoria and high-level diplomatic affairs.

Bulwer himself remained an important British statesman after departing Washington. Later elevated as Baron Dalling and Bulwer, he continued a distinguished diplomatic career serving in major posts including ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and ambassador to France.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
Authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA as a genuine Millard Fillmore signed document.
PSA/DNA Certification Number: 85842689.

• 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 outstanding presidential diplomatic manuscript linking the White House, Queen Victoria, and Anglo-American foreign relations during the mid-nineteenth century. Combining strong historical content, an elegant full presidential signature, and official governmental significance, the piece represents a highly desirable artifact for collectors of presidential autographs, diplomatic history, and nineteenth-century international affairs.

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.