Description:

Garfield James

James Garfield autographed and signed Free Frank envelope, PSA cased and graded NM-MT 8

 

Free frank envelope, 4.75" X 3.25," postmarked "Jan 23 / Washington D.C. , Congress, Free." Dated on verso of "Jan 1 1867." Signed by Garfield as "J.A. Garfield," and addressed entirely in his own hand to "B.A. Hinsdale / 86 Chuton St / Cleveland / Ohio." Neatly opened to left edge.

 

Garfield signed this envelope while placed on the House Ways and Means Committee, for which he held very strong objectives. Throughout his political career, Garfield favored the gold standard and decried attempts to increase the money supply through the issuance of paper money not backed by gold, and later, through the free and unlimited coinage of silver. In 1865, Garfield was placed on the House Ways and Means Committee, a long-awaited opportunity to focus on financial and economic issues. He reprised his opposition to the greenback, saying, "Any party which commits itself to paper money will go down amid the general disaster, covered with the curses of a ruined people." In 1868 Garfield gave a two-hour speech on currency in the House, which was widely applauded as his best oratory to that point; in it he advocated a gradual resumption of specie payments, that is, the government paying out silver and gold, rather than paper money that could not be redeemed.

 

Tariffs had been raised to high levels during the Civil War. Afterwards, Garfield, who made a close study of financial affairs, advocated moving towards free trade, though the standard Republican position was a protective tariff that would allow American industries to grow. This break with his party likely cost him his place on the Ways and Means Committee in 1867, and though Republicans held the majority in the House until 1875, Garfield remained off that committee during that time. It would be only 6 years later that he would become President.

 

A fantastic scarce example, PSA/DNA cased, certified authentic and graded NM-MT 8.


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