Description:

Morgan J.

Small archive of three letters, including one signed by influential American financier, J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) as "Pierpont". In good to very good condition. Expected paper folds, isolated soiling to some corners, and some stray blue and red crayon marks. The three documents are sealed together in the upper left corner with unknown adhesive. The largest document measures 8.375" x 11".

The archive is comprised of a 2pp TLS dated October 14, 1903; a 1p signed note dated October 17, 1903; and a 1p TLS dated October 19, 1903. The most interesting part of the correspondence relates to J. Pierpont Morgan's recent business reversal with U.S. Steel. The rest of the correspondence explores early 20th century New York politics in the Episcopal Church, of which Morgan was a prominent member.

From Albany, New York on October 14, 1903, 1st Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany William Croswell Doane (1832-1913) wrote friend J. Pierpont Morgan expressing concerns about an upcoming bishopric election, and tensions within the diocese due to territorial boundaries. At the close of this TLS, Doane wrote: "I cannot tell you how intensely I feel about the outrage of this attack upon your house or how troubled both Mrs. Doane and I were by the fact that you seemed tired and troubled with it the other day. With all the natural load you have to carry, I cannot bear to have so needless and unpardonable a trouble added to it". Signed as "W.C. Doane" on top of second page.

Morgan had formed U.S. Steel, a conglomerate of American steel corporations, in 1901. It was the first billion-dollar corporation in the world, and its sheer size and profitability attracted the attention of anti-trust hawks like 26th U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919). By the fall of 1903, the value of U.S. Steel had dropped, and Morgan was simultaneously blamed for its failure and condemned as a robber baron. Bishop Doane's comment about "the outrage of this attack upon [the House of Morgan]" referred to this bad publicity.

From Wall Street on October 17, 1903, J. Pierpont Morgan signed a secretarial note as "Pierpont". The note was addressed to George Macculloch Miller (1832-1917), the secretary of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, and enclosed Bishop's Doane's letter.

From New York City on October 19, 1903, George Macculloch Miller replied to J. Pierpont Morgan regarding issues raised by "his Grace of Albany" [Doane] in the October 14, 1903 letter. He concluded his TLS by adding: "Thank you for sending Doane's letter. All in it personal to yourself I more than share in … " Signed as "Geo. Macculloch Miller" at bottom right.

J. Pierpont Morgan was a leading member of New York City's Episcopalian congregation. He established an exclusive social club for church-going Episcopalians called the Church Club, was active in church administration, and contributed to charities. Morgan was a major donor of Albany's Cathedral of All Saints, where his friend Doane served as Bishop.

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