ELIHU B. WASHBURNE: GRANT'S FIVE DAY SECRETARY OF STATE

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ELIHU B. WASHBURNE ~ PRESIDENT ULYSSES S. GRANT'S FIVE DAY SECRETARY OF STATE. Choice Autograph Letter Signed "E.B. Washburne," 2 pages, 8vo [7-15/16 in. x 4-15/16 in.], "House of Reps.," [Washington], December 7, 1858. An uncommon early letter written to his political friend "Hon. Will Comback" [William Cumback Representative from Indiana]. Washburne warmly writes: "I have yours of the 4th inst. But let me assure you that if things so shape themselves that I can go for you, I shall go the whole figure on the 'Stick to Banks' or die. No man in the 34th [Congress] has more warm friends who were in that Congress, and who are returned to the 36th, than you have. I will talk with the 'boys' (I.W. Jr. & C.C.W.) and perhaps they will write you." In a postscript, he adds: "Please send me a Patent office report." In fine condition. Washburne's casual mention of the "boys" are actually his noted brothers I[srael] W[ashburn] Jr., lawyer and Member of the House of Representatives, and C[adwallader] C[olden] W[ashburn], later Union Major General and Governor of Wisconsin. In 1855, Nathaniel P. Banks had been elected Speaker of the House after a long and bitter struggle, and 133 ballots. Seen as the first national victory for the newly formed Republican party, "Banks" became a rallying catchword, although Banks himself had resigned his seat and was serving as Governor of Massachusetts. American statesman and career politician Elihu Benjamin Washburne [1816-1887] was an antebellum lawyer in Galena, Illinois, when he first met future friend and long-time ally Ulysses S. Grant. Washburne was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1852, serving throughout the Civil War, and Reconstruction, and acting as chairman of the committee on appropriations, known as the first "watchdog of the treasury." He avidly supported his personal and political friend Abraham Lincoln, and was the only person to greet Lincoln on his secret arrival in Washington for the inauguration. He proposed to Lincoln the promotion of his old friend U.S. Grant to Brigadier General and General. He was a member of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction, and a leader of the radical opposition, later serving as chairman of committee of the House on the matter of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. His continued sponsorship of Grant led to his appointment as Secretary of State in President Grant's Cabinet, which he assumed on March 5th, but resigned on March 10th to accept the appointment of Minister to France, serving from 1869 to 1877. During his service, he witnessed the Franco-Prussian war, the fall of Napoleon III and the crumbling of the Empire. In 1880, his name was suggested as candidate for the presidency to run against Grant who was seeking his third term, causing a rift in their friendship which was never repaired. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TERMS: NO PAYPAL Authenticity Guaranteed. Certificate of Authenticity [COA] is provided if requested . Worldwide shipping is via USPS Registered Mail [insured]: Domestic shipments @ $10.00, International shipments @ $15.00 Buyer agrees to confirm purchase by responding within three [3] days of our winning e-mail notification. All New York State residents are required to pay the 8-3/8 % sales tax. Payment should be made by money order, cashier's check, or personal check within 10 days of the closing date of the auction. All international purchases must be paid in United States Dollars . IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE : Worldwide payment accepted by International Postal Money Order, or by a check drawn on an American bank. [ Sorry ~ NO PayPal, no bank transfers and no credit cards]. If in doubt contact us before bidding. We do not participate in the ebay checkout option We NEVER use the Second Chance Offer. You can always contact us direct via e-mail at CARD PHOTOGRAPH SIZES : Carte-de-Visite Photographs are about 4 inches by 2-3/8 inches. Cabinet Card Photographs are about 6-1/2 inches by 4-1/4 i... read more

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