Three letters concerning the assassination of President Garfield, including one by his secretary of state, James G. Blaine, written the day before his death. First, an ALS signed “J. G. Blaine,” one page, April 18, [1881], in full: “Symptoms somewhat ameliorated at noon. No recurrence of chill.” The two additional letters are by Ziba Hazzard Potter, totaling ten pages, dated December 1881 and January 1882, and concern the trial of Charles Guiteau. The earlier letter, in part: “I attended for some hours the trial of Guiteau, the assassin. I met some of the experts for the Governments, and should I judge from their opinions I would regard Guiteau as entirely sane. But there is strong expert testimony on the other side and from it I should regard him as insane. The trial is one of the most remarkable in the history of governments and of state trials.” The later letter, in part: “Yesterday the trial of Guiteau was finished and resulted…in a verdict of murder in the first degree…I hope the result will be a lesson to assassins in both hemispheres.” In overall fine condition, with expected folds, light stains, and toning. RR Auction COA.
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