Description:

Excellent James Blaine ALS Referencing Garfield's Health After Shooting

2pp on a single sheet, measuring 8.25" x 12.25", Washington, D.C., dated August 25, 1881. Signed "JG Blaine" and addressed to a Mr. F.O. French. Blaine discusses stocks in the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad Company and mentions the declining health of President Garfield. With flattened mail folds and a few ink smudges from folding. Two staple holes at the top left corner from a removed staple. Large and bold signature. Reading in full:

"I write on as large paper as I have drawn my agreement on regular foreign dispatch paper. I send you enough of a guarantee against harm coming to the R & A Compy by paying me $2200 for my original stock. I do not like to advertise and should not know whether to do in it N.Y., Was'tn or Augusta. But a Bond with four members of the Cabinet ought to be good enough for the Sec. of State. It will be a great favor if you can adjust this matter for me soon. The President is very low but we have not given up all hope." 

On the morning of July 2, 1881, Secretary of State James Blaine accompanied President Garfield to the Sixth Street Station of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad to see him off. While conversing in a station lounge, Garfield was shot at point-blank range by disgruntled office seeker Charles J. Guiteau, once in the arm and once in the back. The second bullet lodged near Garfield’s pancreas and proved to be irretrievable by doctors. While the injury was not fatal, carelessness and incompetence by the doctors led to the wound becoming infected. His death was ensured by the constant probing of many doctors unfamiliar with basic germ theory, and Garfield died on September 19, 1881, after seven weeks of excruciating convalescence. Many today believe that, had Garfield been simply left alone to rest and heal, he likely would have survived. After Chester K. Arthur assumed the presidency following Garfield's death, Blaine tendered his resignation on October 19, 1881. He ultimately agreed to remain in office until December 19, when his successor would be installed.

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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