Description:

Abraham Lincoln
[Washington, D.C.], n.d.
S. Newton Pettis ALS to Pres. Lincoln Requesting Meeting for "political, not personal" Matter
ALS

An autograph letter from Republican representative Solomon Newton Pettis, addressed to President Abraham Lincoln. Two sides of a small card, measuring 3.75" x 2.25", [Washington, D.C.], undated. Signed and initialed as "S. Newton Pettis" at conclusion and "P" following the postscript. Exhibits moderate feathering to text on recto, with faint soiling near margins. Evident mounting residue present on verso. Otherwise, very good- nice Presidential association!

Provenance: Our consignor, an distinguished collector, notes that this letter was preserved within a family album connected to John Milton Hay (1838-1905), Lincoln's private secretary.

Pettis writes inn full:

"The President,
I came in on morning train and desire to return to our canvass at G.O.C. and would be glad to see you 4 or 5 min-utes, political, not personal. S. Newton Pettis
[Over] Will call at 3. P.M. hoping for a moment before returning. P."

Solomon Newton Pettis (1827-1900) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania who served as a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention. On March 21, 1861, Pettis was appointed by then-President Lincoln to be an associate justice of Colorado Territory. He would never serve in this position, however, having departed Denver sometime after July 30, 1861 without ever presiding over the appointed court. Pettis was later elected to the Fortieth Congress (1867-1869) in order to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Representative Darwin A. Finney, but was unsuccessful in reelection.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 3.75" x 2.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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