Pres RUTHERFORD B HAYES - Autograph Ltr Signed

Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) 19th President. 4 ¼" x 7", two pages, front and back, autograph letter signed, with an initialed post script, Fremont, August 2, 1889. Marked "Confidential," "…The information you call for is…given by Miss Willard in her 'Women and Temperance.' Mrs. Hayes, mourned over the divisions and controversies among Temperance workers. Of decided convictions herself, she was tolerant of the opinions of others. She did not, as so many do, think herself infallible. She was a Republican…Now if you quote me, or refer to me as authority it will be a violation of confidence…." He has added: "Excuse me for saying further: I do not see the importance or necessity of your taking on controvertial and irritating questions in a Memorial Service. Can we not be in harmony on such an occasion? 'Let us Have Peace'. H." First Lady "Lemonade Lucy" Hayes (1831-1889) was a temperance advocate and liquor was banned at the mansion during his administration. She had died a month earlier. Mounting remains in the lower portion of the second page.