James K. Polk Autograph Letter Signed as President ALS as president, one page, 8 x 10, April 8, 1847. Addressed from Washington, D.C., a handwritten letter of introduction for a noted American clergyman, in full: “Having been informed that the Rev’d Henry M. Field of St. Louis, Missouri is about to leave the United States, to make a tour through Europe — it gives me pleasure to state — that he has been introduced to me by my friend the Rev’d Wm. McLain of this city as a most worthy gentleman. I commend him as such to the favorable consideration and attention to the Diplomatic & Consular agents of the United States — and all other American citizens with whom he may meet, during his absence from his country.” In very good to fine condition, with an area of paper loss to the upper left corner repaired and reinforced by complete professional silking on the reverse. Henry Martyn Field was an American author and clergyman (1822-1907) who was the publisher and editor of The Evangelist for 44 years. He traveled extensively and his resulting travel books were very popular, in particular From the Lakes of Killarney to the Golden Horn (1876) and From Egypt to Japan (1877), two volumes descriptive of a trip he took around the world in 1875-1876.