Description:

Chester Arthur
New York, NY, April 4 & 7, 1882
Two Letters to Pres. Chester Arthur Re: Chinese Exclusion Act, "the most disgraceful act of the nineteenth century…"
ALS
A pair of two letters addressed to President Chester A. Arthur regarding his initial veto of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which would have restricted entry of Chinese laborers to the United States for a twenty year period. 4pp, measuring 4.5" x 7", New York, NY, dated April 4 & 7, 1882. The correspondents, writing just three days apart, both congratulate the President on his resolve to stop the bill, which one refers to as "the most disgraceful act of the nineteenth century". Featuring degrees of uneven toning and expected letter folds throughout. Dealer's notes in pencil at upper left of both. Otherwise, very good to near fine with interesting contents.

The letters read in full:

- April 4, 1882: "Our country is to be congratulated upon the sagacity & courage you have manifested in vetoing the Chinese bill. It is the most disgraceful act of the nineteenth century and the nation will applaud your course."

- April 7, 1882: "Permit me to add my acknowledgement to that of others, for your sagacious veto of the Chinese bill. I admire the manly exhibition of statesmanship which you have shown, when you was well aware that your disapproval would be unpopular.

Too many of us fear to do that which we know is best and right, when our temporary interests stand in the way; but you have assurance that time will vindicate your actions, and if it should unfortunately occur that you should never have another occasion, this veto will be a bright place in the history of your administration.

I cherish the hope however, that under your leadership, the Republican party and the country will be better and stronger, because a man of your sagacity fills the highest place in the gift of the people."

Talk of restricting immigration from China first began in the wake of the economic Panic of 1873, which the media sought to blame on Chinese laborers for depressing workmen's wages, especially in the Western United States. Later in 1878, Congress resolved to pass legislation that would ban Chinese immigration entirely, but the measure was vetoed by then-President Hayes. When the topic was again broached in 1882- this time to impose a twenty year ban- President Arthur imposed his own veto on the grounds of a breach in the renegotiated treaty of 1880, which allowed for "reasonable" suspensions only. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the veto was largely praised on the East Coast but condemned in the West, thus leading to a revised bill that reduced the ban to ten years. Although he still objected to this denial of entry, Arthur ultimately acceded to the compromised measure, signing the Chinese Exclusion Act into law on May 6, 1882.

We are proud to include items consigned by the Manuscript Society in this auction. These items come from the estate of well-known manuscript dealers Forest G. & Forest H. Sweet and Julia Sweet Newman. Forest G. Sweet was an early leader of the Manuscript Society as well as a rare book scholar. The proceeds from your purchase of these items will benefit the work of the Manuscript Society. You can learn more about them, and become a member of the Manuscript Society, at www.manuscript.org.

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:
  • 4.5" x 7"
  • Artist Name:
  • Chester Arthur
  • Medium:
  • ALS

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

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