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Primary sourceBook1845

Secret History of the Tyler Dynasty

Hiram Cumming · 1845

An 1845 pamphlet of hostile open letters attacking President Tyler, accusing him of intrigue and corruption.

A furious partisan attack on Tyler's presidency, written as open letters directly addressed to him.

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Secret History of the Tyler DynastyPDF · 64 pages
Hiram Cumming, Secret History of the Perfidies, Intrigues and Corruptions of the Tyler Dynasty, 1845. Internet Archive (scanned book).

About this source

What it is

This is a printed pamphlet by Hiram Cumming, published in 1845, written as a series of letters addressed directly to John Tyler. It accuses Tyler and his administration of 'perfidies, intrigues and corruptions' and describes what the author calls the hidden workings of Washington politics during Tyler's presidency.

Why it matters

This source shows just how fiercely some political opponents attacked Tyler near the end of his term. It is part of the Birney Anti-Slavery Collection, which connects Tyler's presidency to the wider politics of slavery and sectional conflict in the 1840s. As a biased, partisan attack, it is valuable for understanding the passions Tyler's presidency stirred, not for neutral fact.

Look closer

  • What language does the author use to describe Tyler, and what does that tell you about his purpose?
  • Why would someone publish an open letter to a president instead of writing privately?
  • How should a historian treat a source this openly hostile?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Tyler on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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