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HARRISON, Benjamin. Autograph letter signed ("Benj. Harrison"), as former President, to John Sherman, Indianapolis, Ind., 23 March 1896. 2 pages, 8vo, remnants of mounting along top edge of blank integral.
A SCRUPULOUS HARRISON ASKS ABOUT THE LEGAL STATUS OF GIFTS MADE TO HIM WHILE PRESIDENT. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution says that "no person holding any office or profit or trust" under the United States government, "shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state." Here the former President asks the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee about "two medals" presented to him while he was President, "one from Brazil at the time of the visit of the Brazilian Squadron and one from Spain in connection with the Columbian Exposition. As they came from Foreign Governments I thought I could not receive them and sent them over to [the] State Dept. where I suppose they still are. If it is appropriate that I should have them I would be glad to have them but not otherwise, and if you think so & your committee does, and any resolution is necessary I would be obliged if you would take the necessary steps. If the Govt. is to retain these & any like things, some provision should be made for their custody & putting them in the National Museum or some other appropriate place. Please let me know what you think would be appropriate."
A SCRUPULOUS HARRISON ASKS ABOUT THE LEGAL STATUS OF GIFTS MADE TO HIM WHILE PRESIDENT. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution says that "no person holding any office or profit or trust" under the United States government, "shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state." Here the former President asks the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee about "two medals" presented to him while he was President, "one from Brazil at the time of the visit of the Brazilian Squadron and one from Spain in connection with the Columbian Exposition. As they came from Foreign Governments I thought I could not receive them and sent them over to [the] State Dept. where I suppose they still are. If it is appropriate that I should have them I would be glad to have them but not otherwise, and if you think so & your committee does, and any resolution is necessary I would be obliged if you would take the necessary steps. If the Govt. is to retain these & any like things, some provision should be made for their custody & putting them in the National Museum or some other appropriate place. Please let me know what you think would be appropriate."