MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH R. HAWLEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 02/18/1883 - HFSID 177228

JOSEPH ROSWELL HAWLEY
The American Civil War Brigadier writes this letter on United States Senate Chamber stationery in 1883 to say that he couldn't keep an appointment.
Autograph letter signed "JR Hawley". 2 pages, 5x8, one sheet, front and verso. On ruled United States Senate Chamber stationery. Feb. 18, 1883. Addressed to E. D. Goodwin, Esq., Williard's Hotel. In full: "Dear Mr. Goodwin, I intended and de-sired to call on you as I promised, but I hope you will pardon me for ex-cuseing [sic] myself this evening. I am very tired and have not yet written several letters which must be mailed by 9:30. You are to [illegible] a week, I understood you to say, so I shall certainly see you. Come up to the Senate by 1 o'clock tomorrow and send in a card to me. I will see you and take you to the reserved gallery and point out such senators as you may not know. Truly yours". General Joseph Roswell Hawley (1826-1905) was Governor of Connecticut (1866-1867) and United States Senator from Connecticut (1881-1905). His early political career included strong opposition to slavery. Hawley was a delegate to the anti-slavery Free Soil Party's presidential convention in 1852 and helped to organize the Republican Party in Connecticut in 1856. He served in the Union army during the American Civil War and fought in the first Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861), the capture of Fort Pulaski (April 10-11, 1862) and the Siege of Petersburg (June 9, 1864 to March 25, 1865), rising from captain to brigadier general and mustering out a brevetted major general. Lightly toned and creased. Signature and handwriting is lightly smeared and spotted but legible. Show-through and ink transference touches signature and handwriting. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.