Garfield, James Abram, Twentieth President

Letter signed ("J.A. Garfield"), 1 1/2 pages (9 1/8 x 5 3/8 in.; 232 x 136 mm), on stationery headed Executive Mansion, Washington, 29 April 1881, to W. A. M. Grier, Washington, expressing regret at Grier's declining an appointment as postmaster; light soiling at folds.

Letter signed ("J.A. Garfield"), 1 1/2 pages (9 1/8 x 5 3/8 in.; 232 x 136 mm), on stationery headed Executive Mansion, Washington, 29 April 1881, to W. A. M. Grier, Washington, expressing regret at Grier's declining an appointment as postmaster; light soiling at folds.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Extraordinarily rare example of a Garfield letter signed during his brief tenure as president. The recipient was the Pennsylvania delegate who cast the lone vote for Garfield on the second ballot at the 1880 Republican Convention in Chicago, and the letter alludes to the "Star-Route Scandal" in the postal service.

Allegations of corruption in the postal service arose in the first few months after Garfield's election. After his inauguration on 4 March 1881, the President ordered an investigation of claims that profitable contracts for remote areas ("star routes") had been issued fraudulently. In the wake of this embarrassment, Garfield made new appointments but Grier evidently refused his own. Garfield writes: "I regret that you have concluded to decline the position of Third Assistant Postmaster General. I was greatly desirous of having you in the public service ... Thanking you for your kind letter and regretting the embarrassments which the event has caused us both, I am very truly yours ..."

W. A. M. Grier was the active partner in a banking firm based in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, known as Pardee, Markle and Grier; he was enlisted to support Garfield's candidacy once Grier had been chosen as a delegate. Grier cast his vote continuously for Garfield starting on the second ballot and for over one hundred subsequent ballots until the candidate was chosen.