HORACE GREELEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/03/1864 - HFSID 177257

HORACE GREELEY
Civil War-dated ALS seeking to repay a debt of $30
Autograph Letter signed: "Horace Greeley", 1 page, 5x8. New York, N.Y., 1864 January 3. On N. Y. Tribune letterhead to Abner Bentford [?], in full: "I believe you paid $30 for the dinner to Prof. Eldwin Smith which should have been paid by me. I was called on with regard to it, but did not pay it, not understanding the matter. If you paid it, please allow me to make up my deficiency; if anyone else did, be good enough to send over to him and accept the thanks of yours". Horace Greeley (1811-1872, born in Amherst, New Hampshire) founded the New York Tribune in 1841 and edited it until his death. His newspaper, competitive in price with the "penny press" but less sensational, was the first to give its writers individual by-lines and the first with a literary and book review department. The Tribune had wide readership and influence, and many of his editorial quips - like "Go West, young man" - became famous. He was steadfast in support of many causes, such as antislavery, temperance, and the rights of labor, but he could be mercurial at times. (His swift reversal of opinion on the secession of the southern states is reflected in two 1861 Tribune editorials: Go in Peace, Errant Sisters, followed shortly by On to Richmond.) He served as a Whig in Congress for three months (1848-1849)to fill a vacancy and did not seek reelection. As the Democratic and Liberal Republican parties' presidential nominee in 1872, he was defeated by President Ulysses S. Grant, who was seeking reelection. On Nov. 28, 1872, just 23 days after the election, Greeley, worn out by the grueling campaign, died at the age of 61. Horizontal mailing folds. Left edge lightly chipped. Paperclip crease and stain at left edge. Top right corner creased. Otherwise, fine condition.