WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/23/1861 - HFSID 258406

WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT
American poet and newspaper editor William Cullen Bryant wrote this letter on Evening Post letterhead in 1861 to George Perkins Marsh, first U. S. Minister to Italy, to recommend a young man as Secretary of Legations.
Autograph sentiment signed "W. C. Bryant". 1 page, 5x8 letter, on ruled letterhead of The Evening Post. March 23, 1861. Addressed to the Honorable George P. Marsh. In full: "My dear Sir. The bearer of this letter is Francis Williams Esqre. of the city, a young gentleman of great merit and accomplishments. He had travelled much in Itlay and would be glad to go back to that country as Secretary of Legations He possesses a more than ordinary share of literary talent, is industrious, good tempered and obliging. I think he would perform the duties of the office very acceptably Whether you have the power of influencing the appointment I dont [sic] know but if you have you might not find it [illegible] upon one who would enter more zealously upon the duties. I am, Sir, [illegible] yours". GEORGE PERKINS MARSH (1801-1882) represented Vermont in the US Congress (1843-1849), until his appointment by President Taylor as Minister to Turkey. President Lincoln named him as the first U. S. Minister to Italy in 1861, a post he held for over two decades until his death. New England poet WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT (1794-1878 moved to New York in 1825. He became an editor for the New York Evening Post a year later. By 1829, he was co-owner and editor of the newspaper (1829-1878), which he made a Democratic then a Free-Soil then a Republican newspaper. His poems include Thanatopsis, which he wrote at the age of 16 and published in his first volume, Poems (1821), and To a Waterfowl. Other collected works include The Fountain, and Other Poems (1842) and The White-Footed Doe, and Other Poems (1844). Folds and creases (not near signature). Mounting remnants on verso with light show-through, which touches handwriting and signature. Otherwise in fine condition.