PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 11/02/1891 - HFSID 85470

GROVER CLEVELAND
Grover Cleveland handwrote this letter in 1891 to decline an invitation from the South Carolina Bar Association, even though "I should very much enjoy visiting my brethren of the bar in your State".
Autograph letter signed"Grover Cleveland". Pencil notations in top right corner in unknown hand/2 pages, 4½x7, 1 sheet folded, front and verso. Nov. 2, 1891. Addressed to G. W. Craft, Esq., President. In full: "The invitation tendered to me by the South Carolina Bar Association gratifies me exceedingly; and I know that I should very much enjoy visiting my brethren of the bar in your State. I [illegible] therefore to say, that after some ex=ploration on the [illegible] I am obliged to decline this invitation. Yours very truly." Cleveland (1837-1908, born in Caldwell, New Jersey), served as the 22nd U.S. President from 1885-1889. He was the first Democratic President elected after the Civil War and became a Democratic candidate again in 1892 as a fighter of protective tariffs. He ran for re-election on Nov. 6, 1888, receiving more popular votes than Benjamin Harrison (5,537,857 to 5,447,129), but lost in the Electoral College, 233 to 168 electoral votes, 20 to 18 states. After his first Presidential term he retired to New York to resume his law practice as he had no private fortune. In 1892, Cleveland was the first ballot nominee at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He defeated President Harrison in popular votes (5,556,918 to 5,176,108), electoral votes (277-145), and states (23-16). Grover and Frances Cleveland, married in the White House in 1886, had their first child, Ruth, in 1891, Esther, the only presidential child born in the White House, in 1893, a third daughter Marion in 1895, son Richard in 1897, and son Francis in 1903. Cleveland is the only former U.S. President to be elected President. Lightly toned, foxed and creased. Spine of letter is worn, with light tear at bottom and light nick at top of spine. Folded once vertically and horizontally and unfolded. Light dent in right edge along fold. Otherwise in fine condition.