Gettysburg Speech, Vice Presidential Candidate, MA Gov. Edward Everett Writes To Robert Bonner

EDWARD EVERETT (1794-1865) was a notable Massachusetts statesman, theologian, orator and scholar. He graduated from Harvard College in 1811 and remained as a tutor for three years. After studying theology, he was appointed pastor of the Brattle Street Unitarian Church in Boston. Later he established a long association with Harvard, first as a professor of Greek literature and later as Overseer of the College. 

In 1824 he was elected to Congress and re-elected five times. He then served as Governor of Massachusetts.  He was appointed to a number of political offices, including United States Minister to Great Britain and Secretary of State, both in the Fillmore administration.

In 1852, he was elected to the United States Senate.  During the presidential campaign of 1860, he was vice presidential candidate on the Constitutional Union Ticket of presidential candidate John Bell, running against Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas and John C. Breckenridge. With the onset of the Civil War, he gave his support to Lincoln.  His oratory experience drew large crowds. His most notable speech was at Gettysburg, PA, on November 19, 1863 at the dedication of the national cemetery. It is most remembered because Abraham Lincoln gave a short but extraordinary speech at the same ceremony.

1 ¼ pp, 5 x 7, Boston, Jan. 31, 1862, ALS, to Robert Bonner, Esqr.  Provenance: Christies’s, New York, Dec. 5, 2017, The Norman Boas estate.

“You should have had this at the beginning of the week, but I came home from the West, quite pulled down by the effects of the Limestone water of that region. I do not mean to wait a month for the sequel but to follow up as soon as possible.

“You shall have the Emperor’s letter next week.

“As ever sincerely yours,

“Edward Everett”

Comes with a beautiful engraving of Everett from an original painting by Chappel.

Moderate age toning with paper repairs on the blank page. Folds.  Very readable.

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