JOSEPHUS DANIELS - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 05/13/1941 - HFSID 26438

JOSEPHUS DANIELS
Ambassador Daniels writes to artist M.H. Herrin regarding a sketch he had done
Typed Letter Signed: "Josephus Daniels", 1p, 8x10½. American Embassy, Mexico, 1941 May 13, Foreign Service letterhead. To: Mr. M. H. Herrin, Brooklyn, New York. In full: " I have received your letter of April 22 with its enclosure, and thank you for the honor you have done me in making a sketch of me and asking me to autograph it. It is an excellent likeness and I congratulate you upon your talent. It gives me a great pleasure to comply with your request, and I am returning the sketch herewith [not included], signed in ink. With my best wishes, believe me Sincerely yours," Josephus Daniels (1862-1948) served as Wilson's Secretary of the Navy from 1913-1921- prior to which he was a successful newspaper owner and editor. As a partisan Democrat, he used his control of the Raleigh News & Observer to advance the party causes. He launched a "White Supremacy" campaign in North Carolina that led to Democrat victories in 1898 and 1900 and the disfranchisement of African-Americans. In 1898, he was credited with inciting the Wilmington Race Riots-years later he was said to have regretted his stance. While Secretary of the Navy, he banned alcohol from US Navy ships and ruled that no prostitution would be permitted within five miles of any naval base. He later served as Ambassador to Mexico (1933-1941) under FDR. The USS Josephus Daniels was named for him, as are schools and buildings throughout North Carolina. Three filing holes at left margin. Rust stains at two sets of staple holes and one paperclip crease at left edge and top left margin. Normal mailing folds. Evenly toned. Otherwise, fine condition.