细节
GRANT, Ulysses S. Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant") TO PRESIDENT JAMES A. GARFIELD, New York, 26 March 1881. 4 pages, 16mo, minor irregular browning on page 4, otherwise in fine condition.
GRANT ASSURES GARFIELD "IF I WERE IN YOUR PLACE I WOULD NOT APPOINT ANYONE WHO OPPOSED ME"
Former President Grant asks recently inaugurated President Garfield to appoint an acquaintance, but takes pains not to appear as if he is "counseling" the new President. In the Republican Convention of 1880, many believed Grant would be nominated for an unprecedented third term, but Garfield, heading a faction supporting John Sherman, was key to Grant's defeat, leading to Garfield's own nomination.
Here, Grant introduces a candidate for a foreign post: "This will present Mr. Walter Fearn [probably John Walker Fearn, (1832-1899)], 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...had experience years ago as Secretary of Legation..." Grant apologizes for an earlier recommendation: "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." In a slightly resentful tone, Grant states that the candidate "would have given me a hearty support if I had been the nominee of the Chicago Convention," but he assures Garfield: "if I were in your place I would not appoint any one who opposed me. I would not ask you to do what I would not do if in your place." He asserts: "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." Grant asks that Fearn be appointed somewhere, as long as it does not replace his former staff officer Adam Badeau. Ultimately, Garfield did not take Grant's advice and Fearn received no appointment until Cleveland made him Minister to Serbia, Romania and Greece. Provenance: Philip D. Sang (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 4 December 1981, lot 1141).
GRANT ASSURES GARFIELD "IF I WERE IN YOUR PLACE I WOULD NOT APPOINT ANYONE WHO OPPOSED ME"
Former President Grant asks recently inaugurated President Garfield to appoint an acquaintance, but takes pains not to appear as if he is "counseling" the new President. In the Republican Convention of 1880, many believed Grant would be nominated for an unprecedented third term, but Garfield, heading a faction supporting John Sherman, was key to Grant's defeat, leading to Garfield's own nomination.
Here, Grant introduces a candidate for a foreign post: "This will present Mr. Walter Fearn [probably John Walker Fearn, (1832-1899)], 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...had experience years ago as Secretary of Legation..." Grant apologizes for an earlier recommendation: "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." In a slightly resentful tone, Grant states that the candidate "would have given me a hearty support if I had been the nominee of the Chicago Convention," but he assures Garfield: "if I were in your place I would not appoint any one who opposed me. I would not ask you to do what I would not do if in your place." He asserts: "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." Grant asks that Fearn be appointed somewhere, as long as it does not replace his former staff officer Adam Badeau. Ultimately, Garfield did not take Grant's advice and Fearn received no appointment until Cleveland made him Minister to Serbia, Romania and Greece. Provenance: Philip D. Sang (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 4 December 1981, lot 1141).