ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SAMUEL NELSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/09/1872 - HFSID 153536

SAMUEL NELSON
1872 letter, handwritten, dated and signed one year before Nelson's death, about recuperating from an illness. Nelson resigned from a federal commission in 1872 due to illness.
Autograph letter signed "S Nelson". 4 pages, 10¼x8 (one sheet folded, front and vesro). Cooperstown, New York, January 9, 1872. Addressed to "Mrs. Stoughton". In full: "My Dear Mrs. Stoughton, Your favor of the 29th ult came duly to hand - the books had safely arrived before and Mrs. N. & my self were glad to learn that your health was entirely restored - indeed, we had learned that from Anne, or when you had called already - as she writes she never saw you look better, nor, apparently, in better spirits. Mrs. N. is quite well, and makes a capital nurse, under whom I am improving greatly, the pain having left my back entirely, and the re-maining difficulty is weakness and stiffness: but these are giving way gradu-ally. I shall not go to W. [probably Washington, DC] this winter: and am sorry to say, nor to the City of N.Y. My place is here till I get thoroughly well. The attack has been very obstinate, and part of the time, during the sum-mer, very painful; & I am obliged to avoid every movement or re-cuperation that might lend to a return of it. I do very little but eat sleep read the papers; Except in favor-able weather, ride out. Aside from this ail ment [sic] I am, the doctor says, as sound a man as there is in the village. Tell Mr. S. (for my letter is intended to answer his) that I have but one complaint against him, and that is, he has given me a great deal more credit for good qualities than I deserve, and taken to to [sic] himself a great deal less. His house, and its society, are among the most agreeable [sic] reminiscences ever of my life; and are often before me. I trust you and he may have a long life, and that the future may be as happy and prosperous as the past. This is my hearty wish and I would make it larger if I could. I am yours and your husbands Ever truly friend." Nelson (1792-1873), who had made a name for himself as an attorney, was a circuit judge (1823-1831) and Associate (1831-1837) and Chief Justice (1837-1845) of the Supreme Court of New York before being appointed as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by President Tyler in 1845. Serving until resigning due to illness in 1872, Nelson was involved in the historic Dred Scott case, and he was appointed by President Grant to serve on the joint high commission that arbitrated the Alabama claims in 1871. However, the illness that he writes about in this letter curtailed those duties. Lightly toned and creased. Random ink stains. Several words have smeared. Folded thrice vertically and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.