33

U. S. Grant

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
U. S. Grant

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2015 May 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.75 x 5.75, March 26, 1881. Letter to “His Excellency, Jas. A. Garfield, President of the United States.” In full: "This will present Mr. Walter Fearn, of New Orleans, whose name I gave for the Mexican mission in case there should be a vacancy there. I infer now that there is not likely to be a vacancy in that mission. Mr. Fearn is an accomplished gentleman, speaks the French, Spanish & Italian languages about as fluently as his own, had experience years ago as Secretary of Legation, has traveled much in Europe, and in every way is appropriate for a foreign appointment. In a letter to Mr. Pitkin I stated that since my recommendation of a gentleman for the Mexican Commission it had occurred to me that the person named may have opposed your election. I hoped he had not. I knew he would have given me a hearty support if I had been the nominee of the Chicago Convention. But that if I were in your place I would not appoint anyone who opposed me. I would not ask you to do what I would not do if in your place. This is the language used in my letter as near as I can recall it. Mr. Fearn informs me that he did nothing to oppose you. He was very much disappointed at the result of the Convention which made the nomination. If under these circumstances you can appoint Mr. Fearn to a suitable position I will feel under obligations. I do not know whether the Belgian Mission is to be vacant or not. If so Mr. Fearn would be an ornament to that mission as he would be to Italy. I would not name the latter place in opposition to [Adam] Badeau. Judge Hunt, of your Cabinet is well acquainted with Mr. Fearn.” In fine condition, with tiny edge separations to folds and light toning.

Grant, who had left presidential office in 1877 after serving two terms, reentered politics three years later with the broad backing of the ‘Stalwart’ faction of the Republican Party and was the heavy favorite to win the presidential nomination at the 1880 Republican National Convention. Against a field of fourteen potential nominees, Garfield was hardly considered a contender and barely received any votes in the initial balloting. The vote was deadlocked until the 36th ballot, when all of Grant’s opponents shifted their votes to Garfield in a controversial compromise that resulted in a victory for the ‘dark horse’ candidate. In order to appease the Stalwarts, Garfield reluctantly approved the nomination of Chester A. Arthur for vice president. Knowing that he would need the united support of the entire Republican Party in order to win the general election, Garfield met with party leaders and promised to recognize all factions when making appointments. This backroom deal was dubbed the ‘Treaty of Fifth Avenue’ by pundits, as it secured the support of New York powerbroker Senator Roscoe Conkling—the leader of Grant’s supporters and a close friend of Chester A. Arthur—and his state, which held the highest number of electoral votes and was essential to win the presidency. The present letter provides excellent insight into Grant’s character as he attempts to balance a political request with a contentious personal relationship.