MAJOR GENERAL JOHN M. THAYER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/01/1887 - HFSID 13779

JOHN MILTON THAYER
The Nebraska Governor sends his decline to attend the First Annual Republican Club dinner, as he will be too busy with the State Congress, signs name in black ink
Typed letter signed: "John M. Thayer" as Governor of Nebraska in black ink. 1 page, 8x10½. Written on State of Nebraska Executive Department letterhead. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 1, 1887. Addressed to James S. Lehmaier, Esq. of New York City. In full: "Dear Sir:- I have your favor of the 21st ult. ("ultimo mense" or "last month") inviting me to be present at the First Annual Dinner of the Republican Club of your City, to be held at Delmonico's, on the evening of the 12th inst. ("instante mense" or "this month"), it being the anniversary of Lincoln's birthday. Please accept for yourself and your associates, my most grateful thanks for your kind remembrance of me, and for this cordial invitation. Nothing but pressing duties here, which I cannot avoid, compel me to decline. The Legislature is in session, and will be on the 12th, when its session will be near its close. I should be extremely happy to join with you in rendering homage ot the name and the memory of the illustrious Lincoln. I am, with great respect, Very Truly Yours". John M. Thayer (1820-1907), after graduating from Brown University in 1841, established a practice in Worcester, Massachusetts, even serving as editor of the Worcester Magazine and the Historical Journal as well as lieutenant in the local militia before deciding to move his family to the West. In Nebraska, he affiliated himself with the Republican Party and earned command of the Nebraska militia before the Civil War, once arresting a drunken Territorial Governor (1859) who tried to assume command of Thayer's expedition against the Pawnee Indians. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was made Colonel of the First Nebraska Infantry, which participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1862 and Brevet Major General in 1865. After the Civil War, he was elected as one of the first two U.S. Senators from Nebraska (1867-1871). Thayer later served as Governor of the Wyoming Territory (1875-1878) and Governor of Nebraska (1887-1891). Normal mailing folds. Toned. Creased throughout. Binding holes in left margin. Tears in left margin. Typed ink bleeding slightly. Corners creased. Otherwise, fine condition.