Lot 24
Garfield, James -- Two Autograph Telegrams Denouncing the "Chinese Letter," A Campaign Dirty Trick (1831-81) 20th President of the United States (Mar. 4, 1881-Sept. 19, 1881). Two autograph draft telegrams signed "J.A. Garfield," one page each, 4to, Mentor, Ohio., Oct. 22 and 23, 1880. Each draft is tipped to another sheet, with minor chipping and edge repairs. The first is addressed to Hon. Marshall Jewell & Hon. S.W. Dorsey at 241 Fifth Ave., N.Y., and the second to Jewell only. Just days before the election, Senator William "Seven Mule" Barnum (a distant relative of showman P.T. Barnum) released to the press a letter mimicking Garfield's handwriting. Published in Tammany's party organ, The Truth, the letter endorsed unlimited Chinese immigration and was intended to wreak damage among anti-immigrant voters in California and the West.
Garfield reacted immediately and fought off the accusation. On Oct. 22, he writes, in part: "…I authorize you to denounce the so-called Morey letter as a bald forgery, both in its language and sentiment….publish your denunciation officially tonight…and make Barnum feel the weight of public indignation for his reckless and dishonorable conduct." On Oct. 23, after seeing a lithographic copy of the forged letter, he indignantly writes, "It is the work of some clumsy villain, who cannot spell - nor write English, nor imitate my hand-writing. Every honest and manly Democrat in America who is familiar with my hand-writing will denounce the forgery at sight. Put the case in the hands of able detectives at once, and hunt the rascals down." In spite of damage caused by the forged letter, Garfield narrowly defeated Winfield Scott Hancock for the presidency. Accompanied by an engraving of Garfield. Estimated Value $1,800 - UP
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| Realized $1,980 |
