Details
GARFIELD, JAMES A., President. Autograph letter signed ("J.A. Garfield") as Congressman from Ohio, to Ambassador F. Kinsman, Washington, D.C., 25 March 1869. 4 pages, 4to, on ornate House of Representatives stationery, very minor soiling.
"I WOULD NOT... BE THE ONE TO COMMENCE A RUPTURE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS"
A unusually good letter from the future President on a Postmaster's appointment which threatened to cause a rift between Garfield, President Grant and Grant's father: "For several weeks prior to the Inauguaration, a spirited and somewhat bitter contest was going on for the office of P[ost] M[aster] at Ravenna...I...recommended Capt. Robinson, the candidate that I thought had the most strength. The P[ost] M[aster] General approved my recommendation, and soon after laid the papers before the President. [Grant] said he had already promised that office...[to] Mrs. Evans, a soldier's widow. It appears that Jesse [Grant, the President's father,] had known her mother fifty years ago, and soon after his arrival in Washington had written that if her daughter would apply for the office he would get it for her...Several senators with whom I consulted...said the nomination ought to be rejected, and they would do so if I recommended it (I ought to say that several other similar appointments in other parts of the west have been made at the request of Jesse Grant...) After receiving a note from the President in which he said he did not know of [my recommendation]...until after he had promised the appointment, and that he had not made it with any intention to disregard my wishes...I came to the conclusion that I would not oppose the confirmation, and be the one to commence a rupture between the President and Congress. I shall do everything in my power, even to my own hurt, as in this case, to preserve harmony between Congress and Gen[era]l Grant...I may say however, that...the President appears to see that he has made a mistake in allowing his father to interfere in appointments..." Jesse Grant continued to embarrass President Grant throughout his administration by attempting to capitalize on his son's position. (McFeely, Grant, pp. 237, 319, 431).
"I WOULD NOT... BE THE ONE TO COMMENCE A RUPTURE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS"
A unusually good letter from the future President on a Postmaster's appointment which threatened to cause a rift between Garfield, President Grant and Grant's father: "For several weeks prior to the Inauguaration, a spirited and somewhat bitter contest was going on for the office of P[ost] M[aster] at Ravenna...I...recommended Capt. Robinson, the candidate that I thought had the most strength. The P[ost] M[aster] General approved my recommendation, and soon after laid the papers before the President. [Grant] said he had already promised that office...[to] Mrs. Evans, a soldier's widow. It appears that Jesse [Grant, the President's father,] had known her mother fifty years ago, and soon after his arrival in Washington had written that if her daughter would apply for the office he would get it for her...Several senators with whom I consulted...said the nomination ought to be rejected, and they would do so if I recommended it (I ought to say that several other similar appointments in other parts of the west have been made at the request of Jesse Grant...) After receiving a note from the President in which he said he did not know of [my recommendation]...until after he had promised the appointment, and that he had not made it with any intention to disregard my wishes...I came to the conclusion that I would not oppose the confirmation, and be the one to commence a rupture between the President and Congress. I shall do everything in my power, even to my own hurt, as in this case, to preserve harmony between Congress and Gen[era]l Grant...I may say however, that...the President appears to see that he has made a mistake in allowing his father to interfere in appointments..." Jesse Grant continued to embarrass President Grant throughout his administration by attempting to capitalize on his son's position. (McFeely, Grant, pp. 237, 319, 431).