Description:

Grover Cleveland
Washington, DC, August 28, 1894
Grover Cleveland ALS as President to Supreme Court Judge, Ex-Forbes
ALS

Grover Cleveland (1837-1906). Autograph Letter Signed, "Grover Cleveland," as president, 3pp, on bifold Executive Mansion stationery, 4.5" x 7", Washington, August 28, 1894. Accompanied by the original matching envelope addressed in Cleveland's hand, postmarked same. Letter has expected folds with separation at edges. A tiny open tear at bottom margin not affecting text. Soiling and staining to an otherwise blank verso. Else, in near fine condition. Ex-Steve Forbes Collection.

22nd and 24th U.S. President Cleveland writes to the Honorable D-Cady Herrick at Albany, New York, regarding his apprehension at an appointment referred to him. Cleveland has marked both letter and envelope as "Personal."

In full:

"My dear Judge-

I leave early tomorrow morning for a much needed vacation.

I have turned the Mastman appointment over and over again in my mind and I feel that if it was made it would become a source of embarrassment to all of us including the appointee. It is needless for me to refer to the circumstances which lead some good people who do not [?] Mr. Mastman, to think that his appointment to the place you desire to see him fill, would be inexpedient, to say the least of it.

I suppose of course the New York Senators would oppose his confirmation, and if they did it would certainly be defeated and we would be accused of doing the thing which perpetrated party strife and discord.

Can we each find some place in the Collectors or Appraisers office in New York that would serve his purpose - say something worth $3000 or so per annum? Such an appointment we could make without the interposition of the Senate and I honestly think it would be better all around.

I wish you would write me what you think of this scheme at 'Buzzards Bay Mass.'

Yours sincerely,
Grover Cleveland."

The "scheme at 'Buzzards Bay Mass.'" referred to in Cleveland's letter was an ongoing, yet struggling, effort to construct the Cape Cod Canal. The goal was to connect Buzzards Bay with Cape Cod Bay to create a safer, faster route for shipping, avoiding the dangerous waters around Cape Cod.

D-Cady Herrick (1846-1926) was an American lawyer and politician who served as justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1891 to 1904.

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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  • Dimensions: 4.5" x 7"
  • Medium: ALS

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