CHARLES
WILLIAM GILLETTE (November 26, 1840 – December 31, 1908) was a U.S.
Representative from New York, who graduated from Union College, Schenectady,
NY, in 1861. Gillette enlisted as a
private in the Eighty-Sixth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, in August
1861 and was promoted to adjutant of the regiment in November. He was wounded and honorably discharged for
disability in 1863. He was appointed postmaster
of Addison on June 15, 1878, and served until July 26, 1886. Gillette was elected as a Republican to the
Fifty-third and to five succeeding Congresses.
Offering a group of 7 Letters to New York Congressman Charles
W. Gillette from Thomas Smith and William C. Farnsworth as the nation was
struggling on the verge of a Civil War. Our writers speak of President
Fillmore, saving the union, making a speech on behalf of James Buchanan and
Congressman Thomas K. Benton’s visit to Melrose, MA. The letters are dated from
1853-56, from Thomas Smith and William C. Farnsworth, various dimensions, 17 pp
total, from State Bank and Hartford, CT, and Charlestown, MA, with good
political content, providing many details to Gillette at this important
juncture in American history.
In small part, [April 25, 1853]“…Glendenning had a call to go
to Cromwell but has not accepted…Gen’l Wooster is in Texas. Frederick Mosher is
in California…The Legislature meet here the 4th of next month. Hartford
presents quite a lively aspect during the session. You will see members
straddle the fences. Some clustered around the pumps. Some…at an uncommon pitch
of voice. The Light Guards and the firemen are to parade the streets in their
uniforms for the governor is to be re-inaugurated…” [October 25, 1854] “…I
supposed the Railroad will soon be completed in Waterbury…I have much news at
present as it regards financial affairs. They are decidedly close. Money can be
loaned at almost any profit there is such a demand for it but the trouble with
the banks is that when it is in such demand, they have not got it to spare…”
[October 1, 1856] “…He is an out and out Fillmore man completely absorbed at
the present time in the patriotic work of saving this glorious union. He makes
a big address next week before the Fillmore Club in Melrose [MA]…Now though he
is a general and I a mere private apt as I speak two nights previous to him, I
expect that he will find the people of Melrose when he gets there very little
inclined to save the Union. I did expect some time since to have taken rather
an active part in this campaign. I have not made but a single speech yet, and
that was for Buchanan. You will see I am striving to be perfectly impartial –
one speech on each side. But then I expect to make rather more of an effort for
John & Jesse, than I did for James B…I’m still residing in Melrose, and
mean to till after the election. I must vote for president. Then to my friends
talk a little of making a legislator of me, which means, to take $3 a day, and
newspapers at the state’s expense…” [December 16, 1856] “…The election was
coming on and an attempt must be made to save the country. Since the attempt
has so deplorably failed and it is obvious that the country is obstinately
disposed not be saved, but to go right straight to the dogs—I have hardly felt
like writing to my companions in misfortune—the members of the patriotic band
who, on the 4th, all fought and bled, died and went to thunder. But now that
the din of the conflict has subsided, though we are dead, and the country is
ruined, yet I feel disposed to reclaim my friends, and renew a correspondence
on this, the other side of the political Jordan…We are having a good course of
lectures delivered here on successive Tuesday evenings. Hon. Thomas K. Benton
is here, or to be, this evening. Calculate T. hear Old Bullion, for he is one
of the statesmen of America still living for whom I have some little respect—we
shall give him a tremendous crowd of hearers…The Hall has been a great deal
more than full…Invitation to party. Shall not go. Aristocrats – white kids,
fine broadcloth, patent leather boots and all that…Don’t like the big bugs…”
Letters are in very good condition.
Everything we sell is guaranteed
authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy.
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Ephemera Society. [P 110]