JOHN A. ANDREW - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 11/25/1865 - HFSID 286564

JOHN ANDREW
Manuscript Letter signed by him as Governor of Massachusetts, writing to Governor Fenton of New York to vouch for a woman seeking pardon of a convict
Manuscript Letter signed: "I am faithfully & truly/your Obt. Servant/J. A. Andrew" as Governor of Massachusetts, 8x10, 2 pages (front and verso). Boston, 1865 November 25. On official letterhead to Reuben E. Fenton, Governor, Albany, New York. In full: "I have the honor to forward to you the enclosures in reference to the pardon sought for by Jeremiah Clifford, a convict in the State Prison of New York. [Enclosures not included here.] The lady Mrs. Smith who takes an interest in the case, brought these to me, being a stranger to the Governor of N.Y., with the request that I would present the case, & accredit her to you. I am happy to perform this office for a lady in whose Statements and fidelity to the truth, I have confidence, and I sincerely hope that the case will be found one in which clemency may fitly be exercised. Any communication to me will be promptly attended to, and any aid afforded in such investigation as your Excellency may require." 2 horizontal fold creases. Left edge lightly ragged, edges lightly toned. Otherwise fine condition. Otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a 2½x4 unsigned sepia photograph, lightly toned and corners creased. John Andrew (1818-1867), an anti-slavery Whig who joined the Republican Party after its formation, helped muster legal aid for John Brown after the raid on Harper's Ferry (1859). He won landslide election as Massachusetts Governor the following hear. As a Civil War Governor (1861-1865), he strongly supported President Lincoln and the Union cause, endorsed emancipation, and was instrumental in organizing the first black regiments for the Union Army, including the 54th Massachusetts Infantry immortalized in the movie Glory. In 2007 Deval Patrick, the first African-American Governor of Massachusetts, hung Andrew's picture in his office, calling him an inspiration. Two items.