Written entirely in his hand, inked single unlined letter sheet reading as follows: ‘Kinderhook, De. 1, 1842 Dear Sir: I avail myself of your return to the seat of government to thank you for your friendly letter upon the success of the good cause in Ohio, to express my earnest prayer for your continued health & happiness. You have seen that we were not slow in following your glorious example & what is of greater importance our success is of a character & has been entertained under circumstances which preclude all reasonable doubt in regard to its functioning. Remember me most kindly to your friendly colleagues, let me hear from you… Very Sincerely Your Friend M. Van Buren. The hon. J. Hastings’. John Hastings (1778-1854), U.S. Representative from Ohio, and Van Buren were both Jacksonian Democrats and the Democratic Party had just scored significant gains in the recent Ohio elections. Kinderhook was Van Buren’s home in N.Y.

Normal Folds, else Fine