Description:

Hayes Rutherford

Rare 2pp ALS by 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) while president. Inscribed overall and signed by Hayes as “R.B. Hayes” at top of second page. First page with "Executive Mansion, Washington" letterhead, and the cream stationery pages are watermarked. In very good to near fine condition, with expected toning and isolated foxing. Horizontal paper folds have been reinforced verso. Each page measures 4.375" x 6.875". Accompanied by a handsome Pach Bros. 5" x 7" black and white photograph of Hayes, embossed with company name in lower right corner.

 

On March 3, 1880, in a letter marked "Private" at top, Rutherford B. Hayes wrote "Rev. Dr. Mayo" to invite him to the White House. "I would particularly like to have a good talk with you. Let me suggest that you come at 3 PM today to ride with me, and after riding that you take family dinner with me at 6 PM. Mrs. Hayes is absent, but I have two young ladies with me who look after things during Mrs. H's visit to Ohio."

 

During the late nineteenth century, entertaining at the White House required a woman to act as hostess. Here, Hayes wrote that even though his wife Lucy Ware Webb Hayes (1831-1889) was in Ohio, that two unnamed young ladies would officiate at "family dinner" during the First Lady's absence.

 

"Rev. Dr. Mayo" refers to Amory Dwight Mayo (1823-1907), a Unitarian clergyman who Hayes likely met during one of Mayo's ministerial postings in Cleveland or Cincinnati, Ohio in the 1850s and 1860s.

 

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 (1814-1886), 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. 


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