Autograph Letter Signed.
Nicknamed "The Easy Boss" (as well as "Me Too" for petulantly resigning his U.S. Senate seat in 1881 at Roscoe Conkling's urging), this powerful New York Republican party political boss served as Congressman (1873-77) and Senator (1881, 1897-1909) -- but is remembered not for legislative prowess but rather for the political clout that made him Theodore Roosevelt's political godfather. Item #40751
ALS, 1p, 7 3/4" X 10½", Jacksonville, FL, 8 March 1885. Addressed to "My Dear Barker" (possibly New York and Sea Beach Railroad official John Barker or politico and future New York representative and governor Benjamin Barker Odell Jr., 1854-1926). Good plus. Strong folds, though none weakened; small paper loss at right upper margin slightly affects a couple words and small triangular chip at lower right corner (not affecting text). On "New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Co. / Office of Vice President" letterhead (Platt crosses out the printed "New York" and substitutes Jacksonville), he boldly pens regrets at "my failure to receive your valued favor of the 2d. inst till today & the consequent delay in return -- I was down in the So part of the State out of reach of the mails." And likely pertaining to future New York politician and then-current Minister to France Levi P. Morton (future New York representative and governor and U.S. vice president), he remarks: "I am sincerely glad that Mr. Morton does not propose to let his shabby treatment by the Union League Club go [unnoticed?]. His friends ought to take it up and resent it in some marked and earnest way...." (Morton was a Union League Club member, but what their offense against him was is not known.) An interesting, fairly attractive letter.
Price: $125.00