HORACE GREELEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/26/1868 - HFSID 84342

HORACE GREELEY
Horace Greeley wrote this letter on New York Tribune stationery in 1868 to turn down an invitation. Greeley was the founder and editor of the Tribune. Accompanied by original mailing envelope.
Autograph letter signed "Horace Greeley.". Pencil notations near bottom edge in unknown hand. 1 page, 4¾x7¾, 1 sheet folded, on ruled New York Tribune.Nov. 26, 1868. Addressed to Elliot C. Cowden, New York City. In full: "Dear Sir: I must go on to my farm on Saturday morning, so that I must respectfully decline your invitation to breakfast that morning. Yours,". Lightly toned, soiled and creased. Address, but not signature, is lightly smeared but legible. Light stains on verso. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: Original mailing envelope. 5¼x3¼, on stationery of the Headquarters of the U. S. Army. Addressed to Mrs. Elliot C. Cowden, New York City. Envelope is open and empty. Normal postal stamps. Lightly toned, soiled and creased. Torn open at top edge. Top right corner is missing. Lightly discolored at left edge. Otherwise in fine condition. 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.