DAVID AMES WELLS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/30/1886 - HFSID 44674

DAVID AMES WELLS
The nineteenth-century engineer and political economist sends letter of thanks to a colleague, signs name in black ink
Autograph letter signed: "David A. Wells" in black ink. 1 page, 4¾x7¾ affixed to 5½x8½ piece of cardstock. October 20, 1886. Norwich, Connecticut. Addressed to Harlan H. Ballard, Esq. In full: "My dear Sir, I am so needful of your favor on the 28th to [illegible] on of my election as Vice President of the C.B.T. chapter at Villiens. I much appreciate the compliment and shall be happy to serve the Society anyway in my power. I am yours, Most Respectfully". David Ames Wells (1828-1898) was an American engineer, textbook author, economist and advocate of low tariffs. After graduating from the Lawrence Scientific School at Cambridge, Wells was appointed a professor there where he was a lecturer on chemistry and physics at Groton Academy, also serving as editor of The Annual of Scientific Discovery and writing his own books The Science of Common Things (1857), Wells's Principles and Applications of Chemistry (1858), Wells's First Principles of Geology (1861), and Wells's Natural Philosophy (1863). Wells was also a fervent supporter of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, writing pamphlets that reassured investors of the soundness of Lincoln's financial policies, earning a reputation as a political economist, and earned him an appointment by Lincoln as the 1865 chairman of a three-member National Revenue Commission, a position that was reappointed by President Johnson. His post-war studies on European and New York City labor markets converted him to a free market and low tariff supporter. Left edge frayed. Toned. Soiled. Small stains throughout. Creased throughout. Corners rounded. Otherwise, fine condition.