HORACE GREELEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/06/1867 - HFSID 1796

HORACE GREELEY
Horace Greely wrote this letter on stationery of the New York Constitutional Convention in 1867 to request an overdue statement. Greeley was the founder and editor of the New York Tribune.
Autograph letter signed "Horace Greeley". Black ink in top left corner and on verso, both in unknown hand. 1 page, 5x8, on New York Constitutional Convention. Aug 6, 1867. Addressed by O. O. Case, Esq, Hartford, Connecticut. In full: My Dear Sir: I excepted to receive my July statement before the beginning of August. May I not hope to have it soon? If sent on Thursday, Friday or Saturday of this week, please address me at New-York. Yours,". 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. Lightly toned, foxed. soiled and creased. Lightly torn at top and bottom edge. Neatly torn from binding at left edge. Folded once vertically and twice horizontally and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.