JAMES R. LOWELL - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 07/25/1883 - HFSID 258250

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL
As US Minister to Great Britain, he writes on legation stationery to Edmund Moffat, the USDA's first overseas agent, acknowledging receipt of a letter about bovine pleuropneumonia.
Autograph letter signed "J.R.Lowell". Pencil notations in unknown hand. 1 page, 7x9, on stationery of the Legation of the United States in London, England. July 25, 1883. Addressed to Edmund J. Moffat, Esq. In full: "Sir, I beg to acknowledge the reception of your note of yesterday enclosing a copy of a letter from the Acting Commissioner of of Agriculture with reference to pleuro-pneumonia in the United States, and to thank you for the information contained therein, while I shall without doubt find very useful. I am, Sir, You obedient servant,". Edmund J. Moffat was the USDA's first overseas agent. He was first based in London in 1882 as a "statistical agent", but had the status of a Deputy Consul General in the U. S. State Department. The works of James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) include poetry (Commemoration Ode, Under the Willows, Three Memorial Poems) and prose (Fireside Travels, Among My Books, Political Essays). Lowell, who wrote in conventional rhyme and meter, was considered one of the "Fireside Poets", whose works were popular for family reading. Lowell, who succeeded to Longfellow's chair at Harvard (1855-1876), was also the first editor of the Atlantic Monthly (1857). Lowell was U.S. Minister to Spain (1877-1880) and Great Britain (1880-1885), employing his legal, literary and linguistic talents to good effect in both posts. Lowell was, of course, a member of the venerable Lowell family, of whom it was said in Boston that "the Cabots speak only to Lowells, and the Lowells speak only to God." Lightly toned, soiled and creased. Body of letter, but not signature, has bled and smeared lightly but is legible. Lightened around edges, possibly from frame or mounting. Folded once vertically and thrice horizontally and unfolded. Light separations along top and bottom folds at right edge. Otherwise in fine condition.