This project at American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies is locating and publishing letters of the twelfth and thirteenth US presidents.

Between 1844 and 1853, the decade the project covers, Taylor led troops into the Republic of Texas and Mexico, Fillmore helped govern the state of New York and the University of Buffalo, and each served in the White House. The nation expanded west, displaced Native Americans, and clashed over slavery.

Volume 1, featuring letters of January 1844–June 1848, will be published in print and online in August 2026. In the meantime, you can explore this website to learn about the presidents and the project. It includes a high school teaching guide on Texas annexation and a blog about the presidents, the editing of historical documents, and connections between the past and present.