LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30444

Ulysses S. Grant Autograph Letter Signed; 1881

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Ulysses S. Grant Autograph Letter Signed; 1881
<B>Ulysses S. Grant Autograph Letter Signed, </B></I>"<I>U.S. Grant</B></I>"<I>.</B></I> One page, 4.75" x 8", New York, December 8, 1881 written on the end of a two page A.L.S. from a Judge Lewis Buckner. Grant responded to Buckner's letter which remarked upon a slanderous gossip column written by two federal employees, which the judge had included in his letter. The judge noted the enclosure of a "<I>...slip cut from the Louisville Courier Journal...They have persistently abuse you, Mr. Conckling, and Gen Arthur, until he came to the Presidency. These persons are but the instruments of Justice Harlan, and were doubtless first gotten places in the Treasury through his influence, they write letters from the paper named once a week and have made it a point never to omit to say something disrespectful about you...</B></I>" This clipped column includes little barbs directed toward Grant: "<I>When Gen. Grant was a candidate for a third term he said that when he was elected President he was inexperienced, and committed many mistakes...and was anxious to be elected again...Again he has come to the front as the chief counsellor </B></I> <I>sic</B></I> <I> of the President. What do we see?</B></I>" Buckner was incensed that these women were on the federal government payroll. He anticipated that if he informed "<I>the present secretary of the Treasury...he might take some proper step to have such an unseemly thing stopped - People drawing pay under a Republican administration, and at the same time writing the most villainous slanders against the chief's of that party</B></I>" On the third page Grant responded in a measured tone: "<I>I send you this letter & enclosure Confidentially. I know the character of the letters written by the two women Snead - Mother & daughter - but I did not know that they were receiving pay from the Government in addition to what they make as correspondents. I venture to say they return but little service to the government for what they receive.</B></I>" Grant's administration was no stranger to criticism or controversy, as many members of his cabinet came under fire for corruption. Light toning at creases with partial separation, else very good. <I>Ex. Henry E. Luhrs Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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