1366652 WILLIAM H. SEWARD AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED [ALS]. William H. Seward.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED [ALS]
WILLIAM H. SEWARD AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED [ALS]

WILLIAM H. SEWARD AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED [ALS]

1849. One-page autograph letter signed by William H. Seward with one horizontal fold and two vertical. The letter reads:

Auburn June 2d 1849
Gentlemen,
My engagements leave me no leisure to examine the interesting question discussed by Mr Spooner in the pamphlet you have submitted to me. It seems clear enough however that his opinion of the unconstitutionality of the laws prohibiting Private Mails was adopted by him in good faith and upon at least plausible grounds while it has been discussed with great ability and fairness. Inasmuch as the agitation of the question very proper under such circumstances, contributed to the reformation of our Post System and the establishment of Cheap Portage, I am quite satisfied that Mr Spooner deserves well of the Country and of the Age.
I am with great respect,
Your humble servant,
William H. Seward

Messers John W. Wetherell
Oliver H. Blood
John C. Wyman

Letter is in Very Good condition with light wear. It has been tipped into a small portfolio comprising two contemporary engraved portraits of Seward; KW Consignment. Shelved case 0.

1366652

Shelved Dupont Bookstore

Sold

NOTES

William Henry Seward was an American politician who served as state senator (1831-1838), Governor of New York (1838-42), U. S. Senator (1849-61), and Secretary of State (1861-69) under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson.

From the Stephen May Autograph Collection. As a youth in the 1940's, Stephen May (1931-2016) collected autographs of famous people, identifying individuals through Who's Who publications and contacting them with a thoughtful, lengthy, well-researched letter introducing himself, acknowledging the individuals’ accomplishments, asking one or two pertinent questions and, finally, requesting that they return a signature. Some responded simply with an autograph on a provided 3x5 card while others included bonus material with the signature in the form of a poem, letter, friendly greeting, or words of advice for the teenage boy. Steve's collecting hobby became known among his family and wider circle of friends in the city of Rochester, NY, where his father, Arthur J. May, taught European history at the University of Rochester, and his mother, Hilda Jones May, was active in the community. Eventually, more people helped Steve in his pursuit, which accounts for the signatures with dates before or after the mid-40's and without the prompting of a letter from him. A few signatures are from the 19th century. The collection is a broad representation of the people and forces that shaped our world, and the culture, accomplishments, and innovations of the first half the 20th century.

See all items by