EDWARD LIVINGSTON - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 03/02/1829 - HFSID 252469

EDWARD LIVINGSTON
Edward Livingston wrote this letter of congratulation to a military officer in 1829, during his last days as a U. S. Congressman from Louisiana's 1st Congressional District. Accompanied by an unsigned 5¼x7¼ engraving of Livingston.
Manuscript letter signed "Edw Livingston". 2 pages, 4¾x7¾, 1 sheet, front and verso. March 2, 1829. Addressed to Colonel Mallet. In full: "Dr Sir Being engaged in my working room until late last night I did not see your note until this morning or I should gladly have had the pleasure of [illegible] whenever you requested. Since I saw you I have come to the [illegible] of not not letting any agency in our command [illegible] to officer, out of my own state; a [illegible] the less to be regretted in your case because it appears to us from the papers what accom=panied your note that nothing is [illegible] to [illegible] your [illegible] qualification for the place and the [illegible] it would give to your fellow citizens although I can not have the pleasure of [illegible]in this result be assured for that it will not be the less satisfactory to me. I am with great respect Your Mo Obdt Ser". Lightly toned, stained, creased and bowed. Show-through from writing and stains touches body of letter, date and closing but not signature. Missing bottom left corner. Tape residue at top edge of page 2. Light nicks in top, left and bottom edges. Top edge is lightly discolored. Folded twice vertically and thrice horizontally. Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: Engraving unsigned. B/w, 5¼x7¼ overall, 3½x4½ image, one surface. Facsimile signature: "Edw Livingston". Engraved by E Willmore from a J. B. Longacre drawing. Lightly toned, soiled, creased and bowed, otherwise in fine condition. Livingston stepped down as U. S. Congressman from Louisiana's 1st Congressional District on March 3, 1829 to become a U. S. Senator from Louisiana on March 4, 1829. Livingston (1764-1836) was the younger brother of Robert R. Livingston, who swore in George Washington as 1st U. S. President in 1789. Edward was Congressman from New York (1795-1801) and Mayor of New York City (1801-1803). He moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1804 and served on General Jackson's staff at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Elected to Congress from Louisiana, Livingston served in the House (1823-1829) and the U.S. Senate (1829-1831) and became President Jackson's Secretary of State (1831-1833) and later U.S. Minister to France (1833-1835).