Hannibal Hamlin
[Washington, D.C.], ca. 1870
Hannibal Hamlin on His Calling Card Seeks Post at New York Customs House for Maine Native
ANS

HANNIBAL HAMLIN, Autograph Note Signed, to "Mr. Terwilliger," on Hamlin calling card, n.d. (ca. 1870), [Washington, D.C.?]. 2 pp., 3.5" x 2.125". Note written in pencil; light toning; very good.

With this rather cryptic note on his calling card, Hannibal Hamlin demanded action on behalf of Mr. Metcalf. He mentions promises from Roscoe Conkling, U.S. Senator from New York (1867-1881), and Col. Murphy, likely Thomas Murphy (1821-1901), who served as Collector of the Port of New York (1870-1871). The recipient was likely James Terwilliger (1825-1909), who served as secretary of the New York State Republican Committee (1860-1870), Deputy Collector of the Port of New York (1870-1871), and secretary to Murphy.

The subject of the note was probably William H. Metcalf (b. ca. 1845) of Maine, who in 1870 was employed as a clerk in the U.S. Customs House in New York City. He was still in the office in 1887.

Irish-born businessman Thomas Murphy made a fortune selling equipment to the Union Army during the Civil War. Soon thereafter, he became involved in the Republican political machine of Roscoe Conkling. In 1870, Conkling persuaded President Ulysses S. Grant to appoint Murphy as Collector of the Port of New York. When Murphy antagonized other New York Republicans by firing members of their factions and replacing them with men loyal to Conkling, Grant was forced to replace him. Grant appointed Murphy's friend (and future President) Chester Arthur to the post of Collector of the Port of New York, beginning his rise in national politics.

Complete Transcript
Mr. Terwilliger – this will introduce Mr Metcalf of whom I spoke to you for [?] which you assured me should be done. Mr Conkling assured me & Col Murphy promised me positively it should be done. I will rely on your attention to it and believe it will be done soon
H Hamlin

Hannibal Hamlin (1809-1891) was born in Maine (then a part of Massachusetts) and managed his father's farm before becoming a newspaper editor. He was admitted to the bar in 1833 and began a practice. Elected as a Democrat to the Maine House of Representatives in 1835, he served from 1836 to 1841. He represented Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847 and in the U.S. Senate from 1848 to 1861 and again from 1869 to 1881. An opponent of slavery, Hamlin opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and left the Democratic Party for the newly formed Republican Party. In 1860, he was the Republican nominee for Vice President on a ticket with Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln. Elected as the first Republican Vice President, Hamlin held that office from 1861 to 1865. Replaced by Andrew Johnson as Vice Presidential nominee in 1864, Hamlin served as Collector of the Port of Boston for a time before resigning in disagreement with Johnson over Reconstruction policies. In addition to representing Maine in the U.S. Senate (1869-1881), Hamlin also served as Minister to Spain (1881-1882).

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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3.5" x 2.125"