Lot 263
Garfield, James A (1831-1881) 20th president of the U.S. (March-Sept., 1881). He served in the Union army until 1863, when he became a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and followed his party's radical Reconstruction program. Elected president in 1880, he declared war on the leading faction of his party by appointing James G. Blaine secretary of state (passing over the "Stalwarts" of the influential Roscoe Conkling); won a victory with his appointment for port collector of New York; and began prosecution of frauds in the U.S. postal service. But on July 2, 1881, he was shot by a disappointed office seeker, Charles J. Guiteau. Garfield died Sept. 19 and was succeeded by Vice President Chester A. Arthur.
Autograph Letter Signed ("J. A. Garfield"). Three pages, octavo, Hiram, Ohio, September 25, 1874. To a Senator. Transmittal folds, adhesive residue at bottom verso has some show-through, minor surface soil. Very good to fine.
Facing two scandals and a re-election campaign, Garfield suggests that a senator who will be making a speech for him focus on Garfield's public service as a member of Congress, "In accordance with the arrangement I made with you and with the Central Committee we have posted you for a meeting at Warren on Saturday…I hope I shall not embarrass you by suggesting that in your speech you take occasion to say a few words in reference to my standing and public service as a representative. It will do much to counteract the prejudice that a small knot of persistent assailants have created against me…" On the verso, in an initialed postscript, Garfield sounds a hopeful note: "I am having large meetings and I think we shall get out a full vote.".
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400.
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| Realized $1,150 |
