ROOSEVELT, THEODORE, President. Autograph letter signed ("Theodore Roosevelt") as Commissioner of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, to Joseph E. Brown, Washington, D.C., 11 November 1893. 3 pages, 8vo, black-bordered mourning stationery, mounting remnant on verso, in good condition.

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ROOSEVELT, THEODORE, President. Autograph letter signed ("Theodore Roosevelt") as Commissioner of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, to Joseph E. Brown, Washington, D.C., 11 November 1893. 3 pages, 8vo, black-bordered mourning stationery, mounting remnant on verso, in good condition.

A "BACKWOODSMAN" EMBROILED IN WASHINGTON POLITICS

A letter written at a crucial early phase of TR's political career: "I would very gladly speak before your society, for I have long desired to do so; and 'The Backwoodsmen' would be a subject particulary congenial to me; I really fear I can not make any engagement this winter, as I am, rather unexpectedly still in Washington...After Congress begins to sit I can not well get away; I have had to refuse many invitations already..."

Pressing Civil Service Commission business detained TR in Washington, D.C. He and his fellow commissioners were embroiled in a bitter argument over the extension of the Civil Service protection to a group of postmasters, whom President Cleveland, recently re-elected to the White House, hoped to replace with Democrats.