Description:

Benjamin Harrison
[Washington, D.C.], December 19, 1881
Benjamin Harrison LS Helping Hoosier Civil War Veteran Obtain Position in Vincennes, IN
LS

A 2pp letter signed by Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), then a newly elected U.S. Senator from Indiana and future 23rd U.S. President, as "Benja Harrison" at the top of the second page. December 19, 1881. [Washington, D.C.] Beautifully secretarially inscribed on laid bifold blue-lined stationery with "U.S. Senate Chamber / Washington" letterhead. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, some with minor closed edge tears. Light even toning, with scattered foxing, and a former collector's pencil inscriptions verso. The third page and outer leaf are blank but have isolated stains and mounting traces. Else very good to near fine. 5" x 8." Provenance: Doris Harris, 1969.

In December 1881, Benjamin Harrison had just completed his first nine months in the U.S. Senate. He sent this cordial letter to one "Captain J.H. Simpson," a job applicant to a Vincennes, Indiana post office. This was almost certainly Captain James H. Simpson, a Vincennes, Indiana resident and Civil War veteran. Simpson had served as an officer in a regimental company of the 120th Indiana Infantry Regiment assembled in late 1863; the fighting unit was mostly comprised of men from Knox County, in southwestern Indiana near the Illinois border. Sixteen years after the war had ended, Captain Simpson had applied to work at the post office at Vincennes, the Knox County seat. He appealed to Benjamin Harrison, a fellow Hoosier and Civil War veteran, to assist him in securing the post.

Harrison's reply reads in part:

"Dear Captain:

I have received your letter of the 17th. I hope you will feel at liberty to call and talk with me whenever you desire to say anything about your application for the Vincennes post office. Mr. Evans has gone home. I shall probably not find time to dispose of the matter before the adjournment of the Senate tomorrow, and in that case will probably defer it until after the holidays.

I hope you will call upon me before your return home.

Very truly yours

[signed] Benja. Harrison."

Harrison served as a Colonel of the 70th Indiana Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, seeing action in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, and eventually reaching the rank of brevet brigadier general of volunteers in the Union Army. After the war, Harrison became increasingly interested in state politics. He represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate between 1881 and 1887. Harrison was the Republican presidential candidate in 1888, serving one term in between Democratic Grover S. Cleveland's two terms.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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