GIDEON WELLES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/05/1842 - HFSID 298428

GIDEON WELLES
He writes to James A. Hovey after a recent election, saying "It is on the whole the most total route the whigs have ever experienced… Everywhere the democrats have done well... No battle was ever better fought, or victory more effectively won". Handsomely framed with a black and white image of Welles to 20x16.
Autograph Letter signed: "Gideon Welles", 1 page, 7½x9½. Hartford [Connecticut], 1842 April 5. Written to "James A Hovey Esq", in full: "The election in any part of the State is of the same charming character with that which you furnish from London country. I cannot add to the information which you will have in detail in the daily Times further than to say that the returns sound [Illegible] the paper and to [Illegible] are all of the same character. I understand that the whigs admit we have elected 15 senators although we have not full returns to warrant as in making such a statement, yet we know of nothing to question the correctness of this admission. It is on the whole the most total route the whigs have ever experienced. We have a same battle in this town and are to have another context next Monday. One meeting did not break up until 9 & 10 p.m. My compliment and congratulations to Gov. Cleveland and our democratic friends. Everywhere the democrats have done well, and it is a time for mutual gratitude and good will. No battle was ever better fought, or victory more effectively won. Very Respectfully" Gideon Welles (1802-1878) formerly a Jacksonian Democrat, joined the newly founded Republican Party in 1854 because of his strong opposition to slavery. An able administrator, he served as Secretary of the Navy throughout the Presidencies of Abraham Lincoln (who called him "Neptune") and Andrew Johnson (1861-1869). Welles generally supported Johnson's policies, including Johnson's reluctance to impose far-reaching changes and full rights for African-Americans during the Reconstruction of the South. Ulysses S. Grant was elected President on a platform which stressed support for Union veterans,Adolph Borie, an unqualified Grant crony, replaced the thorough and efficient Welles as Navy Secretary. Two vertical and three horizontal folds. Otherwise, fine condition. Framed by unknown individual.