Unique: The Only Signed Check of John Tyler We Can Find Having Ever Reached the Market

Written for $500, a large sum back then, on the Bank of the United States, a proposed resurrection of which he would later veto

Checks are a record of the interests of the writer, or the relationship between the writer of the check and the recipient. Like letters, they convey information, sometimes important information. They are collected for these reasons, and others.

Thomas Davenport was a Congressman from Virginia, serving from 1825-1835. He started out as a Jacksonian Democrat, but in 1833 he changed parties because of Jackson’s subtreasury scheme and his anti-secession actions toward South Carolina during the Nullification Crisis. This split led to his loss in the 1835 election. Davenport and John Tyler had business had dealings together, as is shown by a power of attorney they jointly gave in February 1831 to Richard Smith, treasurer of the American Colonization Society, which sought to resettle blacks back in Africa. Since Tyler was sympathetic with that organization, and in 1838 became president of the Virginia Colonization Society, it is tempting to wonder whether the transaction related to that society’s efforts.

John Tyler was U.S. Senator from Virginia from 1827-1836. Initially a Jacksonian, in 1833 he he left the Democrats for the same reasons as Congressman Davenport. He became President of the United States in 1841, serving until 1845.

Partly-printed Autograph Check Signed, Washington, May 20, 1834, for $500, written on an account at the Bank of the United States, and paid to Thomas Davenport. After diligent research, this is the only check of Tyler we can find ever having reached the market. It is thus unique.

Just two years later, President Jackson shut the Bank of the United States down. A bill resurrecting the Bank – the same national bank that had been dismantled by Jackson – was sent to Tyler’s desk when he became president. While the President had little love for Jackson or his beliefs at this point, Tyler considered the bill unconstitutional. Clinging to his cherished states’ rights doctrine, he questioned the right of a federal government to operate such an institution in a state that might not want it there. The cabinet urged him to sign it, but Tyler used his power of veto. Congress passed another bill with language they hoped would appease the President, but Tyler vetoed it as well.