SIMON CAMERON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 06/16/1888 - HFSID 140504

SIMON CAMERON
Signed Autograph Letter (1888), inviting a friend for a luncheon and an overnight visit
Autograph Letter signed: "Simon Cameron", 2 pages, 10x8 (front and verso). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1888 June 16. To "My dear old friend" [William Fordney]. In full: "Some of your friends and mine from Washington & nearer home, have promised to lunch at Donegal Saturday 30th inst. I want you as a special favor to meet them. Come Friday morning next with Duffy and in the evening I will bring you to the home where everything will be ready to care for yr comfort. Do this for old time's sake, Your Friend". Both sides have been silked. Two horizontal and one vertical fold. Accompanied by 5¼x3 envelope, addressed in his hand, with stamp cut out, postmarked Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1888. Soiled and worn at edges and corners. Pencil residue at lower left margin area. Simon Cameron (1799-1889) was Senator from Pennsylvania (Democrat, 1845-1849; Republican, 1857-1861, 1867-1877) and a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 1860. Cameron became Secretary of War in a political bargain at the 1860 Republican National Convention at which his political supporters convinced Lincoln's campaign managers to give him a Cabinet post in return for the votes of Pennsylvania delegates. After his appointment as Secretary of War, Cameron dispensed a raft of civil and military appointments and army contracts, and charges of corruption ran rampant. In 1862, in an effort to be rid of him, Lincoln gave him the diplomatic post of Minister to Russia, and appointed Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War. William B. Fordney, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania lawyer was a longtime friend and confidant of Cameron. Two items.