ALS signed “R. B. Hayes,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, August 23, 1881. Letter , labeled “Private,” sent to an unidentified Colonel. In part, “I am in receipt of your letter of the 8th, and also of the Manchester Ex & Times of the 28th of July. The notice in the E & T is incorrect. It had not been my intention at anytime to go abroad…During the last few days ‘our President’ has suffered another relapse and the anxiety and distress of the whole Country is again very great. Generally the feeling here is one of extreme discouragement. My presentiment still remains firm that he will recover. It is not within me as a case for reasoning - it is a case of faith. Mrs. Hayes appreciates your kindness…I have all of Ruskin’s writings which have been republished here (as they are very Bohemian), but none of his sketches. I have no idea what I wrote on Temperance. It is my conviction that here a great deal of time and effort have been more than wasted in behalf of temperance politics to the neglect of other means of advancing the Temperance Reform. Example, Education, Religion - in short whatever judgement and conscience, on this subject, both promoted the Temperance Reform.” In fine condition, with mild show-through from boldly penned text on reverse and intersecting mailing folds. Garfield was shot by Charles Julius Guiteau on July 2, 1881, less than four months after taking office. Garfield became increasingly ill over a period of several weeks due to infection, which caused his heart to weaken. Eighty days after he was shot, Garfield died on September 19, 1881Once in the White House, Lucy Hayes was considered the most popular hostess since Dolley Madison. She was a strong supporter of Temperance, and no alcohol was served in the White House during the Hayes administration, prompting the press to dub her “Lemonade Lucy.” Hayes did not seek re-election in 1880, keeping his pledge that he would not run for a second term. He had, in his inaugural address, proposed a one-term limit for the presidency combined with an increase in the term length to six years. LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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