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Congressman Edward Everett Writes Letter Of Introd

From the estate of Justice of the United States Supreme Court John McLean. Letter of introduction to Justice John McLean of the United States Supreme Court from Congressman Edward Everett of Massachusetts. Everett was a United States Congressman, Senator, and Vice Presidential candidate for President in 1860. He also gave a lengthy speech at the Gettysburg battlefield in November 1863. His speech preceded the brief but poignant speech given by President Abraham Lincoln. Justice McLean sat on the bench of the Supreme court from January 1830 - April 1861. He was a Presidential hopeful in 1856 and 1860 on the Republican ticket. ALS, 3 pgs., dated Washington May 30, 1830, Everett provides family information on a future friend of McLean Dr. Joshua Hayward of Boston, as requested by McLean. Reads in full: "Washington 30 May 1830 My dear sir: I have your favor of the 24th, & hasten to give you, as far as is in my power, the information you request. Dr. Joshua Hayward was, I think, my school fellow, though considerably my junior; this was when we both were young boys. His father was a physician of eminence, & was the family physician & friend of my father, for many years, and as long as my father lived. He accumulated a large property, and on his decease it was inherited by his children, (the brothers & sisters of Dr. Hayward with himself) a numerous family. One or two of the other Haywards, elder brothers of the doctor, were unfortunate in business, I think, before their fathers death, but, if I mistake not, all the members of the family are now established. Dr. Haywards mother is living, an accordingly estimable & respectful lady, prospered - I presume of a good fortune, from the estate of her late husband. The oldest son is a citizen of one of the towns in my district, a highly respected country gentleman, established at a county seat, which was the summer retreat (according to the fashion prevalent with us) of the old Doctor. And the son is a physician of large & growing practice & excellent character, in Boston; My school fellow, college mate, & friend for the last quarter of a century. Dr. Joshua Hayward, I believe, cultivated at one time a taste for painting, which is considered in our community as a liberal profession. He is now established as a physician, but of his professional reputation & standing, I have no information whatever. He is fixed in that part of the city, where rents are high, & where those physicians reside, who took to the better kind of practice. Dr. Joshua Hayward visited Washington this winter, & though he stood in no need of a letter of introduction to the; he brought one from my brother in law, which I enclose to you. Of Dr. Haywards circumstances I have no knowledge. I suppose he inherited something considerable - say fifteen of twenty thousand dollars - from his father; but this is altogether crude estimate on my part. It was possibly more & quite probably less. I may perhaps without impropriety, & considering myself writing in confidence, say, that Dr. H's family connections are of highly respectable standing, in that respectable circle of our society, which stands next to the great aristocracy of opulence & fashion. I may make this remark without in ordinariness, having been born, & brought up myself of the same standing in society, as Dr. Hayward: I mean not higher , scarcely as high. It is the class of society, which presents more opportunities for men than any other; and in which the character & ability of our community reside. It will fully be in my power on my return home, to furnish you information more specific as to Dr. H's personal character, should you wish. I start for Charlestown June 1 & hope to reach it on the 6th. I am, Dear sir, very truly & respectfully yours, E. Everett". Docketed on the back page in McLean's hand "Mr Everett 30 May 1830". Besides being a letter of introduction, Everett speaks of "High Society" in Boston, a society in which he himself was brought up in. Fine.

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