Franklin Pierce (November 23, 1804 – October 8, 1869) was the 14th president of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. A northern Democrat who believed that the abolitionist movement was a fundamental threat to the unity of the nation, he alienated anti-slavery groups by supporting and signing the Kansas–Nebraska Act and enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act.

At head of title: Library of Congress. "The preliminary work and general carding of these papers was done by Mr. Wilmer Ross Leech ... the Calendar was completed, revised, edited, and indexed by Mr. John C. Fitzpatrick, first assistant in the Manuscript division of the Library of Congress." Includes index.