[Letter] 1843 April 1, Washington [to] Mr. Spencer / John Tyler.

See also Tyler's official White House biography (http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jt10.html) and a guide to research collections of his papers (http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000450).

Tyler writes to Spencer, expressing his "regret and surpize" [sic] in the wake of accusations against Mr. Holmes, a clerk in the Land Office; Tyler had forwarded papers regarding this affair to Spencer, requesting an investigation. Disapproving of the response to this request, Tyler states, "That we may understand each other thoroughly I must say, that I will deny to myself no avenue of information as to the course of those in office under me." In addition to serving as Vice President under Harrison, Tyler also served in the House and the Senate and as Governor of Virginia; he is remembered for his strict adherence to the Constitution, and for being the first Vice-President to take over the office of President upon the death of the holder of that office. Tyler was elected to the Confederate Congress, but died before he could assume that office in 1862. Cabinet Member under Tyler. Served as Secretary of War (1841-1843) and the Secretary of the Treasury (1843-1844). (He was the Secretary of the Treasury at the time of this letter.) Prior to this, he served in the War of 1812 and was a U.S. Representative from New York. More information can be found at the Biographic Directory of the United States Congress website (http://bioguide.congress.gov/scrips/biodisplay.p.?index=S000727 )