Description:

Garfield James

Free franked envelope signed by then Ohio Congressman and future 20th U.S. President James Garfield as “J.A. Garfield, M.C.” in upper right corner of cream colored envelope. Envelope is addressed to one “B.A. Hinsdale Esq, 86 Clinton St, Cleveland, Ohio" in Garfield's hand. Docketed "May 8, 1867" in another hand verso. Postmarked from Hiram, Ohio. In very good overall condition, with expected wear and light soiling. Its left side has been letter-opened. The envelope measures 5.75" x 3.25".

James Garfield (1831-1881), a college-educated lawyer, was serving in the Ohio state legislature at the onset of the Civil War. He balanced his legislative duties with military recruitment and fundraising at first, but after 1861, he accepted a commission in the Union Army. This free franked envelope dates from Garfield’s tenure as an Ohio delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. Between 1863 and 1880, Garfield wrestled with issues like emancipation, Reconstruction, the gold standard, Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial, federal corruption, and congressional salaries. He did not wish to run as a Republican candidate for President in 1880, but he won anyway. He was assassinated only 200 days into his first and only term.

Garfield's correspondent "B.A. Hinsdale" was Burke Aaron Hinsdale (1837-1900), one of Garfield's former pupils at Hiram College. Hinsdale later taught English, philosophy, and political science at the same college, but in 1867, he was a church pastor. Lucretia Garfield requested that Hinsdale edit the assassinated president's writings; The Works of James Abram Garfield were published in 1882.

Free franking, or the ability to send mail free from postage, was instituted in the late eighteenth century. The privilege has been alternately granted, rescinded, expanded, and restricted over the last two hundred years. Traditionally, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Congressmen like James Garfield, as well as former office holders and occasionally their spouses and relatives, held free franking privileges.


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