Description:

Hayes Rutherford



Rutherford B. Hayes Long Letter, Great Content Re: Harrison's Administration

 

3pp ALS inscribed overall and 2x signed by former 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893), the first as "Rutherford B. Hayes" along a vertical orientation on the second page, and the second as "H." following the postscript. Written at Spiegel Grove, Hayes's estate in Freemont, Ohio, on April 9, 1890. On watermarked cream laid bifold paper. The last page is blank. With expected overall toning. Expected light paper folds and minor closed tears, else near fine. 5.375" x 8.5". Comes with an envelope also inscribed in Hayes's handwriting, as well as an 1876 Hayes presidential campaign ribbon.

 

Former President Hayes wrote this lengthy response to L. (Lemuel) Clarke Davis (1835-1904), then Associate Editor of Philadelphia's most popular daily newspaper, the Public Ledger. Davis had written Hayes requesting that he influence President Harrison's presidential appointments of candidates to the "Two academies"; these were almost certainly the army and naval academies at West Point and Annapolis, respectively.

 

Hayes's letter talks frankly about the administration of one of his presidential successors--23rd U.S. President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901). In Hayes's evaluation, President Harrison was constantly beset by innumerable applicants. This did not strike Hayes as unusual or even undesirable; indeed, Hayes, having himself served as president, was well-accustomed to the concept of political lobbying.

 

In part, with untouched spelling and punctuation:

 

"My Dear Sir:

 

I am in receipt of your post of the 7th and am glad to get it. You recall yourself by mention a number of facts. It is pleasant to recall your words, but they are not needed to remind me of you. I shall always gratefully remember you with perfect distinctness as long as I remember anything belonging to my public life - and it will be a precious piece of good fortune if I shall ever be able to render you a service.

 

In this case I am ready to do whatever you wish. I will, however, frankly tell you how little it will probably avail. The present administration has been more than friendly and kind. Without asking often or much I have in all cases been gratified by considerate treatment, and always successful - properly so I think - except in one case and that was in the very case you present - not the individual, but the class of appointment.

 

The truth is that the President has so many near to him - Cabinet officers - Senators and Representatives +c +c +c who make personal appeals for the paces at the Two Academies that he finds it hard to save his own pet cases.

 

My suggestion is that I write a personal letter introducing you to the President as a special friend of mine. With this you can possibly get nearer to him with the merits of your case than in any other way. If I merely write in behalf of the young man it will be known, of course, that I do it without personal knowledge of him.

 

I cannot make any more cases, my cases. I am at the end of that string. Indeed I have presented more of them than I intended or ought, and I am one of the few who must say that I have obtained more than my share.

 

On reflection, I have concluded to send you a letter. It is probably not what you prefer. If so do not hesitate to call again for what will suit you better. I can not promise compliance, but I do want to do what you wish.

 

Finally - I must say that the Presidents appointments to the Academies are about as hard to get as the best place at his disposal. I ought to add to the list of formidable competitors the Ladies who are near to him.

 

I return you the excellent testimonial of the young mans teacher…"

 

The envelope is addressed to "Mr L. Clarke Davis / Asso. Editor Public Ledger Room 20 / Philadelphia / PA." Bearing two cancelled green 2 cent George Washington stamps, and postmarked recto and verso. Expected soiling, opened at left.

 

The black and white silk ribbon is embroidered with Hayes's image and reads "Republican / Nomination / 1876 / For President / RB Hayes / WA Wheeler For Vice President." Stored in plastic sleeve. 1.625" x 5.875".

 

Hayes's correspondent L. Clarke Davis had given up practicing law to pursue journalism; he was eventually promoted to editor of the newspaper. The Public Ledger operated between 1836-1942, and was one of turn-of-the-century Philadelphia's leading newspapers.

 

Rutherford B. Hayes was one of a succession of late-nineteenth-century Republican presidents who consolidated Reconstruction policies after the Civil War. Hayes abandoned his Cincinnati law practice to enlist during the Civil War, where he was later promoted to the rank Brevet Major General in the Union Army. He became involved in politics after the war, serving in the 39th U.S. Congress and later as Governor of Ohio. After a closely contested presidential race against Democratic candidate Samuel J. Tilden, Hayes was declared president. Although many contemporaries view Hayes's single term as one of the best of the worst, historians concede that he also achieved a lot. Hayes is credited with further reconciling the North and South, instituting civil service reforms, advocating for hard currency, and even restoring popular faith in the presidency. 

 



WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

May 15, 2019 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000