BUCHANAN, James (1791-1868). Letter signed ("James Buchanan") as Secretary of State to John C. Pedrick, U.S. Consul at Rio Grande, Washington, 19 August 1845.

One page, 291 x 209mm (faint toning, minor loss at top corner not affecting text). Encapsulated.

Accepting the recipient's resignation of the U.S. Consulship at Rio Grande, Brazil. Buchanan also acknowledges receipt of letters regarding the loss of the ship Hamilton of Sag Harbor, as well as the disposal of the wreck. According to a 14 May 1845 article in the National Aegis newspaper, the whaleship Edward Hamilton of Sag Harbor bound for the Pacific with a full cargo of 3500 barrels of whale oil. The vessel sank about fifty miles north of Rio Grande, with all crewmembers surviving yet with "vessel and cargo a total loss".

[With:]  BUCHANAN, James (1791-1868). Letter signed ("James Buchanan") as Secretary of State to father of the above recipient, John Pedrick Esq., Washington, 29 August 1845.

One page, 289 x 209mm (faint toning). Encapsulated.

Buchanan encloses the commission of the recipient's son, the former Consul, and confirms his resignation.