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Eleven letters signed by notable American politicians of the 19th century. Includes:
Henry Clay - ALS with Free Frank
ALS signed "H. Clay," one page, 7.5 x 9.75, February 4, 1817. Handwritten letter to a woman near Lexington, Kentucky, in part: "I rec'd your favor of the 17th ulto. containing the papers which you wished to be handed to the French Legation…My family enjoys very good health. Theodore and Thomas have just joined us and we are very happy to have all our children around us. The young gentlemen are greatly improved, & speak French pretty well. What think you of my determination to put them in a Jesuit's College in Geo. Town?" Addressed on the integral leaf in Clay's hand, and franked in the upper right: "Free, H. Clay."
John C. Calhoun - ALS
ALS signed "J. C. Calhoun," one page, 7.75 x 9.75, December 10, 1833. Handwritten letter regarding an appointment, in part: "If there be a vacancy, and South Carolina be entitled according to usage to recommend an appointment for a warrant of midshipman in the United States Navy, we respectfully suggest the name of John A. Boykin of Camden, South Carolina for the same." Signed at the conclusion by several members of South Carolina's delegation to Congress: John C. Calhoun, William C. Preston, Warren R. Davis, John M. Felder, John K. Griffin, William Clowney, George McDuffie, Henry L. Pinckney, and William J. Grayson.
Daniel Webster - ALS
ALS signed "Dan'l Webster," one page both sides, 4.25 x 6.75, April 18, [no year]. Handwritten letter to "Hon. Mr. Dallas," in part: "I send you the 'Gen'l. outline, or statement of the case,' which I put together yesterday. I wish you would look to the remark at the end of it, & call the attention of the Secretary to it, at some time, if you think it necessary, altho' the remark suggests only a common idea." Inlaid into a larger sheet.
Stephen A. Douglas - ALS
ALS signed "Stephen A. Douglas," one page, 5 x 7.75, July 11, 1860. Handwritten letter to Hon. Fernando Wood, in part: "Will you do me the favor to call at No. 83 at your earliest convenience today or tonight. I desire to consult you on important matters." Inlaid into a larger sheet.
Albert Gallatin - ALS
ALS signed "Albert Gallatin," one page, 7.75 x 10, April 25, 1822. Handwritten letter to an attorney, in part: "I have the honour to enclose a packet, received from the Minister of Hesse Darmstadt at this court, containing the evidence necessary to identify the heirs…Having heard nothing, since I left the United States, respecting my suit…I will thank you to let me know what has been done & in what situation it now is."
John Sherman - ALS
ALS signed "John Sherman," one page, 5 x 8, September 30, 1861. Handwritten letter following up on previous correspondence, in part: "I have to say that I have not as yet received the letter to which you refer." Inlaid into a larger sheet.
James G. Blaine - LS
LS signed "James G. Blaine," one page, 7.75 x 10, June 3, 1890. Handwritten letter to Secretary of the Interior John Willock Noble, in part: "I beg to return herewith the Pension Papers of Daniel Bechtel, which were sent to our Consul at Victoria at the request of the Commissioner of Pensions. The Consul states that Mr. Bechtel left Victoria about the 7th ultimo. for Butte City, Montana, to remain several months."
John Randolph - ALS
ALS signed "J. R. of Roanoke," one page, 7.75 x 9.75, July 6, 1829. Handwritten letter to Henry Tucker, in part: "I got home on Sunday, just at sun-set, exhausted & chilled, & I have been sick ever since—but for want of company—for Mr. B. & Mr. Sullivan R. (son of my friend Kidder) staid with me until mid-day, Saturday; & Leigh came to dinner the next day."
Thomas Hart Benton - ALS
ALS signed "Thomas H. Benton," one page, 7.5 x 9.75, August 10, [1820s]. Handwritten letter to Secretary of the Navy Samuel L. Southard, in part: "Replying upon the statement of Mr. Hempstead, whose letter is inclosed, I recommend Mr. Manuel Lisa for the place which he solicits."
Charles Francis Adams - ALS
ALS signed "Charles Francis Adams," one page both sides, 7.25 x 9, May 22, 1875. Handwritten letter to "Messrs. Sawyer & Chandler," in part: "You have, I fear, very much overrated my powers in calling upon me to help in the task you have undertaken. It is now just about thirty years ago that I ventured upon a similar experiment, and I look back to the two years I spent upon it as the most exhausting labor of my life. Yet I still think no occupation more useful and honorable, if carried on with honesty and firmness. There has never been a time when the people of this country were ready to be guided by wisdom and sound principles wherever they can find it. They do not so much need the counsels of party organisations as those of disinterested and discriminating judgment. Parties are inseparable from free Institutions, but there is a limit to their action which should never be lost sight of, and that is the paramount rule of right…In my opinion the course of education in America should be more directed to the attainment of the means of success in this line than it has yet been."
Lewis Cass Jr. - ALS
ALS signed "Lewis Cass, Jr.," one page, 7.5 x 9.5, April 8, 1849. Handwritten letter explaining a delay in payment, in part: "When I left Washington I expected to return there in the course of a few weeks. But I have been sent from place to place, till I have finally got home again—& now I have just rec'd orders to get to Mexico. These circumstances will explain why my account with you has remained unpaid."
In overall very good to fine condition, with heavy intersecting folds with some splits and tape reinforcements.
