ALS as president signed “Benj. Harrison,” two pages, 5 x 7.25, Executive Mansion letterhead, May 15, 1889. Letter to James Blaine forwarding several political appointments. In part: “I have been too much occupied to think much of your suggestions left with me the other day—but the following are clear enough to be disposed of without further consultation.” Harrison then lists eight names with their respective locations of appointment including Denmark, Siam, Honolulu, and Liverpool. Harrison then closes with: “You can have these appointments made at your convenience & we will confer again next week.” Archivally double matted and framed with a portrait of Harrison and a name plaque to an overall size of 19.5 x 23. In fine condition.
As secretary of state under Garfield, Blaine worked to increase American trade and influence in South and Central America by trying to prevent European intervention. After Garfield’s assassination, Blaine resigned, but after a failed presidential bid in 1884, returned to a presidential cabinet in 1889—the same year this letter was compose—in Harrison’s administration. In addition to addressing presidential matters, Blaine spent much of 1889 organizing the first Pan-American Conference, negotiating a treaty for a canal with Nicaragua, worked to settle the Bering Sea dispute with Great Britain, promoted the annexation of Hawaii (with the appointment to Honolulu mentioned here one of the steps in that process), and awaited the fallout from the Wilcox Rebellion on the tropical island. Evidence of presidential affairs in a rapidly changing nation. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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