PRESIDENT WILLIAM H. TAFT - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/23/1904 - HFSID 13097

WILLIAM H. TAFT
Introducing the first Attorney General of the Philippines.
Typed Letter Signed: "Wm H. Taft" as Secretary of War, 1p, 5¾x9. War Department, Washington, 1904 March 23. To Col. George Harvey, The North American Review, New York. In full: "This will introduce to you the Hon. L.R. Wilfley, who is and has been the Attorney General of the Philippine Islands since we organized civil government. He is very anxious to see you and talk with you about the Islands and I know no one who is better fitted to do so. I bespeak for him your kindly interest." The Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the Spanish-American War, was signed on December 10, 1898. Spain freed Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the United States, receiving $20 million in payment for the Philippines. The three former Spanish possessions were formally acquired from Spain on April 11, 1899. On March 13, 1900, Taft, who had been the Dean of the University of Cincinnati Law School since 1896, was named President of the Philippines Commission. On July 4, 1901, he was appointed Governor-General of the Philippines. He served until President Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of War on February 1, 1904. He wrote this letter seven weeks later. GEORGE BRINTON McCLELLAN HARVEY (1864-1928) was a political journalist, editor and diplomat. He purchased the "North American Review" in 1899 and became editor of "Harper's Weekly" in 1901. In that position his influence was known for "making Presidents". Stray pencil mark above salutation. Fine condition.