SAMUEL ATKINS ELIOT - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 3419

SAMUEL ATKINS ELIOT
Samuel Atkins Eliot wrote this letter in 1836 to turn down an invitation to contribute to a dodgy-looking "little book": "there is a natural suspicion attending all projects where one sees that the principal person concerned say one word for you &two for himself." Elliot was a U. S. Representative from Massachusetts and mayor of Boston.
Autograph letter signed "Saml. A. Eliot". 1 page, 7¾x9¾. June 4, 1836. In full: "My Dear Sir, I have looked at your "little book", expecting to find sound inducement to put my name therein, but see nothing but the tempt-ing offer of 20 % profit, if the subscribers will buy Russell &Shattuck's concern, &make them agents for the Co. This is a sufficient inducement to them to sell, but as I do not wish them to manage my property the prospect of profit is not enough to make me contribute to the scheme. It is a most exceedingly cunningly devised pland for R. &S.-relieving them from all their responsibilities, realizing cash for the stock, enlarging their capital, &getting the aid of literary men to carry on their business. Now slow, that. But there is a natural suspicion attending all projects where one sees that the principal person concerned say one word for you &two for himself. "Vale & cave". Yrs. Truly:. Boston-born Eliot (1798-1862) was a Whig U. S. Representative from Massachusetts' 1st District (1850-1951) and mayor of Boston, Massachusetts (1837-1839). Eliot was also a member of the Massachusetts state house of representatives (1834) and state senate (1843). Lightly toned and creased. Missing bottom left corner, which touches date but not signature, and top right corner. Show-through from stain on verso touches salutation but not signature. Mounting remnants in top left and bottom right corners (do not touch signature). Folded twice vertically and thrice horizontally and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.