TLS signed “Wm. H. Taft,” one page, 7 x 9.25, personal letterhead, New Haven, May 22, 1916. Letter To Major Wallace Batchelder (who was a member of Troop K of the Rough Riders), in full: “I have your letter of May 17th. There are many gentlemen being considered by the Republican Convention, to whom I am under great personal obligation, that I regret I can not state my preference.” Then in a handwritten postscript he writes, “Except that I am very much opposed to Mr. Roosevelt’s nomination.” Letter is archivally sleeved in acid-free Mylar. A central horizontal fold through portion of signature, some light creasing, and faint mirroring of letterhead to bottom, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
The rift between Taft and his former mentor, Theodore Roosevelt, created one of the most dramatic political feuds of the 20th century, with Taft successfully taking control of the GOP from TR and pushing him from the Republican nest. Suffering an overwhelming defeat in the 1912 presidential election—finishing third behind Woodrow Wilson and Roosevelt (with his newly created Progressive Party)—Taft appeared none too happy to endorse anyone for the White House, due to his “great personal obligation” to many of the candidates. The notable exception was his one-time ally, whom Taft steadfastly rejects here—even to one of Roosevelt’s Rough Rider compadres! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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