Tyler, John (1790-1862). President of the United States (1841-1845). ALS, 1p, 7.5 x 9.675 in. (sight), framed to 8.75 x 10.75 in., "Williamsburg." May 4, 1840.  In the letter, Tyler extends his congratulations to his recipient, presumably a fellow member of the Whig party: "[I] congratulate you in turn not only because of your own recent triumph but upon the success which has attended our cause in every state where elections have been held this Spring." Looking ahead to the November election, he continues, claiming that "this State may now be regarded as firmly with us, and anon North Carolina and Georgia will assert to themselves an equal claim to the gratitude of the country . . . we have now carried a decided majority in the Legislature attended with an equally decided majority in the popular vote – and I greatly deceive myself if that majority will not be greatly increased in the Fall."John Tyler was elected Vice President on the ticket with William Henry Harrison (1773-1841). He served in this capacity only briefly, as he assumed the presidency in 1841 when Harrison died after a mere thirty-two days in office. Tyler was from an old Virginia family and was chosen by Harrison to attract states' rights Southerners. As president, however, he ran afoul of his party's leaders, finding much in the platform unconstitutional. Most of his cabinet resigned, and he was unable to secure a party nomination for re-election.