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Justice Of United States Supreme Court John McLean

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From the McLean family estate. Two letters pertaining to an honorary degree given to Justice John McLean from Harvard University in Cambridge, Ma. The first letter is an ALS from Josiah Quincy, President of Harvard University, to McLean informing him of this honor. Josiah Quincy also served as a Congressman and Mayor of Boston. The second letter is an LS by Justice McLean to Josiah Quincy in response to the honorary degree. They both read in full: "Cambridge 5 Oct. 1839 Sir. By the authority of Harvard College I have the honor to transmit the accompanying Diploma and extend the great gratification I feel at being the medium of this communication. Accept the assurances of the profound respect of Very truly yours Josiah Quincy". Justice McLean then responds: Washington 14 Jany. 1840 Sir, I have received with great sensibility your letter accompanied by the evidence of an honorary degree lately conferred on me by Harvard College. I most highly appreciate this distinguished mark of respect by an institution which has at all times been so venerable for its years and the profound and varied learning of its professors so renowned for. And permit me to say, that my gratification is not assumed, and that intelligence of this proceeding is communicated to me through one, so favorably known in the civil and literary history of his country". McLean then adds in his own hand "With profound respect and gratitude I have the honor to be very truly your obt. Serv. John McLean". McLean has made several corrections and additions in his own hand throughout his response to Quincy. A pair of wonderful correspondence. Both fine.

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