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CALHOUN, Captain Patrick Shields Calhoun (1821-1858). Autograph letter signed ("Patrick"), addressed to his father Senator John C. Calhoun in Washington, D.C. New Orleans, Louisiana. 19 December 1845.

3pp, 8 x 10 in. with New Orleans cancellation and free frank (ink heavily faded in some portions and difficult to read, scattered tears and small losses affecting text, adhesive repair).

An informative letter from son to father, including discussion of President Polk's 2 December 1845 annual address which defined the Polk Doctrine and Senator Calhoun's committee assignments. He writes in part: "Mr. Polk's message did not create much excitement here - that is not so much as was anticipated. The opinion regarding it is very varied... as it becomes better known and more thoroughly read comment is more severe and many more say that it is indefinite on some points, .and that the President says nothing about putting our country in a state of defence.... " Later the younger Calhoun states, "Much astonishment is felt and expressed that Mr. Allen should be put at the head of the 'Committee on foreign relations' instead of yourself .... "

Captain Patrick Calhoun was an 1841 graduate of West Point. He served with the 2nd US Dragoons including on the western frontier in Texas. He experienced bouts of illness, and died in 1858 at Pendleton, South Carolina.