Description:

Taft William

William H. Taft ALS: "I have been vigorously doing no work of any kind for two weeks"

 

3pp autograph letter inscribed overall by future 27th U.S. President William H. Taft (1857-1930), then an Ohio-based Circuit Court Judge, and signed by him as "WmHTaft" at the bottom of the third page. Written in Pointe-au-Pic, Quebec, Canada on July 23, 1899. On watermarked cream stationery with "United States / Circuit Court of Appeals / For the Sixth Circuit, / Judge's Chambers, / Cincinnati." letterhead. Expected paper folds, and light pencil cross-outs in an itemized section found on the second and third pages. 5.875" x 9.25". Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope with a preprinted Court of Appeals return of address, also hand-inscribed by Taft. Letter-opened at top and with expected weathering.

 

The letter reads in part:

 

"My dear Leonard,

 

I have been vigorously doing no work of any kind for two weeks. This morning I took up my correspondence and the enclosed is the result - I send all my letters to you - I wish you would address all these letters to the proper persons. It is much less expensive for me to send everything to you - Please send me a small check book on the First National and stamp say twenty five checks with internal revenue stamps - Also send me a package of my visiting cards which you will find in my right hand desk drawer. I enclose some stamps which deluded persons have sent me - I enclose -

 

1 A letter to W.H.H. Miller

- send 1 to Indianapolis

 

2. Petition for Peirce's compensation

 

 

Have you received a check for [sic] sent from Parkinson?

 

Am glad to hear that you are having good weather -

 

The death of Thos. McDougall was a great shock. I should have prophesied a long life for him as certainly as for anyone of my acquaintances. Regards to there -

 

Sincerely yours

 

WmHTaft.

 

Point a Pic

 

July 23 1899 - …"

 

Taft had graduated from the University of Cincinnati Law School in 1880, and occupied positions as Cincinnati Superior Court judge and Solicitor General before assuming responsibilities as a federal court judge. President Benjamin Harrison appointed Taft a judge of the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in 1892; Taft would serve until 1900. In this role, Taft and other circuit judges presided over hearing and appeals trails in Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. Between 1896-1900, Taft also served as Professor of Property Law at his alma mater, where he presented 2-hour-long weekly lectures.

 

Little is known about Taft's correspondent George W. Leonard, except that he too was a lawyer associated with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. During his travels, Taft addressed numerous pieces of correspondence to Leonard--most including copious instructions relating to both Taft's personal and professional life--indicating that Leonard performed secretarial and paralegal duties for Taft. The majority of Taft's 13-item "To Do" list was conscientiously completed by Leonard, if one can judge from the pencil cross-outs.

 

"Thos. McDougall" referred to Taft's Cincinnati legal colleague Thomas McDougall (1844-1899). McDougall was a Scottish immigrant who had graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1870.

 

The Tafts (William had married Helen in 1886) vacationed for over forty years at a summer residence at Pointe-au-Pic near Charlevoix facing Murray Bay in southern Quebec. Their summer home Fassifern Cottage was a hodgepodge of add-ons and ells, ever expanding to accommodate the growing Taft family and their house guests. The Midwestern Tafts were famous for their warm hospitality and enthusiastic entertaining. The Taft’s summer season usually culminated with William’s birthday bash on September 15th, where it was not uncommon for Helen to feed up to eighty guests.

 

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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