JAMES G. BLAINE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/13/1867 - HFSID 283571

JAMES BLAINE
Signed Autograph Letter to fellow Maine politician Sidney Perham, backing out of pledge to support a political appointment for his brother
Autograph Letter signed: "J. G. Blaine", 3 pages (integral leaf), 5x8 (10x8 opened flat). Augusta (Maine), 1867 November 13. To "My Dear [Sidney] Pelham". In full: "Your brother called on me two evenings since in regard to the place made vacant by the death of Rufs. And I told him that if I could induce a Kennebec applicant to back out, I saw nothing in the way of my giving him my support. The morning after this interview - yesterday morning - I received a note from Bro. Peters reminding me of some obligation to support A. S. French for the place. I entirely forgot to mention French's name to your brother, and I write this promptly lest any misunderstanding in regard to my position might arise in the future. I hope to be able to give my support to your brother as I told him I should contingently, but the case may come up in a form that will render my support of French a necessity - tho I hope not. You will understand my motive in writing this frankly to you. Please show this to your brother. Hope to meet you soon in good health and strength." JAMES G. BLAINE (1830-1893), who began his political career in the Maine state House of Representatives (1859-1862; Speaker 1861-1862), later served as a Republican U.S. Congressman (1863-1876; Speaker of the House, 1868-1875) and U.S. Senator (1876-1881) from the state. Secretary of State under Presidents Garfield and Arthur (1881) and Benjamin Harrison (1889-1892), Blaine was nominated for President at five consecutive Republican National Conventions: 1876, 1880, 1884, 1888 and 1892. He won the nomination in 1884, but lost the November election to New York Governor Grover Cleveland after a campaign characterized by mud-slinging on both sides. SIDNEY PERHAM (1819-1917), the addressee, was a Member of Congress from Maine (1863-1869, serving there with Blaine when this letter was written) and Governor of that State (1871-1874). Vertical and horizontal folds. Lightly toned and creased. Otherwise, fine condition.