Lot 51

Thomas Jefferson ALS as President, Cabinet-Level Appointment!

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Thomas Jefferson ALS as President, Cabinet-Level Appointment!

Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000

Current Bid: $5,500

(11 Bids)

January 29, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Thomas Jefferson
Washington, DC, October 14, 1801
Thomas Jefferson ALS as President, Cabinet-Level Appointment!
ALS
A letter from President Thomas Jefferson to Connecticut politician Gideon Granger, naming him for the position of Postmaster General. 1p, 9.75" x 8", Washington, D.C., October 14, 1801. Signed at conclusion as "Th. Jefferson". Within, Jefferson declares that he has filled the positions of auditor and treasurer within the Treasury Department, and implores Granger to consider taking the position of Postmaster General. The letter exhibits light creasing and general age toning throughout. Isolated tearing present to left margin, with minor ink bleeding from docketing verso. Otherwise, near fine with pristine signature.

In full:

"Since my letter of this day sevenight [October 7], the question as to the public offices has taken a turn different from what was then expected. Neither of the two then named [Auditor or Treasurer] is to be vacant, but instead thereof the Postmaster general's place. This being of equal grade, emolument, and importance, I propose it to your acceptance with the same satisfaction of either of the others. Perhaps you will consider it more eligible than the treasury, as that would have obliged you to call on your friends to become your sureties for 150,000 D[ollars], that being the sum fixed by the law. Judging of the feelings of others by my own, this would not have been pleasant. Let me hear from you immediately, while the same reserve as to the others is kept up. Health and affectionate respect."

Gideon Granger (1767-1822), a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, was a loyal supporter of Jefferson in the election of 1800. Using the pseudonyms Algernon Sidney and Epaminondas, many of his writings defending Jeffersonian principles were published in widely read pamphlets. Indeed, after assuming the presidency, Jefferson sought both to reward Granger for his support and to make use of his rather considerable political connections. A week before this letter was written, Jefferson wrote Granger saying that the positions of auditor or treasurer withing the Treasury Department might be coming open and he had Granger in mind. However, with the President maneuvering between appointees and available positions, he then sent this letter determined that Granger would be better placed as Postmaster General.

Despite Jefferson's enthusiasm, Granger was at first hesitant to leave Connecticut, writing a series of letters explaining why he should be excused from taking a position in Washington. On October 27, however, he sent the President a letter saying that he had been advised that it would "give aid to the cause" were he to agree, and in light of that, he was giving his "unconditional acceptance" to the appointment. Jefferson subsequently made extensive use of Granger's services throughout both of his terms, with James Madison keeping him on into his own presidency, making him the longest serving Postmaster General to date.

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:
  • 9.75" x 8"
  • Artist Name:
  • Thomas Jefferson
  • Medium:
  • ALS

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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