American politician (1814–1869) who served as secretary of war in the cabinets of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. ALS, one page, 7.75 x 10, April 27, 1857. Letter to a doctor in Pittsburgh who has just suffered the loss of his wife. In full: “Unable to express my deep sympathy in your affliction, I cannot however refrain from writing to you. But I shall not undertake the vain task of consoling a grief which I can only share. And yet, the reflection that the inevitable hour so long dreaded by us, brought with it release from mental anguish-that the separation from us is but a reunion with loved ones who had gone before-and that ourselves, ere long, shall follow may in some degree mitigate the sadness for a loss that will be so much felt and deplored by all who had the happiness of knowing Mrs. Gazzam. Having had no communication from Pittsburg for some weeks, I am left in anxiety about your own health and would be glad to know whether it has improved. Mrs. Stanton joins with me in the expression of sympathy & sincere regard.” Suede matted and framed with a portrait of Stanton, to an overall size of 21.75 x 18. In fine condition, with intersecting mailing folds.
In this letter, Stanton consoled friend Dr. Joseph Parker Gazzam on the death of his wife, Elizabeth Riddle, who had died on April 21, 1857. Gazzam was an anti-slavery physician who taught medicine to African-Americans including David J. Peck, the first black doctor to graduate from a medical school. Stanton had moved to Pittsburg from Ohio in 1847 where he became friends with the Gazzams. He practiced law in Pennsylvania until he moved to Washington, D.C. in 1856.
In the summer of 1857 Stanton was appointed as co-counsel with Lincoln when the Illinois lawyer's client, Manny, associated himself with Stanton's firm as well. Manny had been accused by McCormack, the inventor of the reaping machine, of patent infringement. Because of the serious charge and the defendant's concern for Lincoln's inexperience, he also hired Stanton and Harding of Philadelphia to face the plaintiff's seasoned attorney. When Lincoln arrived in Cincinnati to try the case, he was surprised and hurt to find his role reduced to "local influence." After the case, Stanton returned to Washington and gave up his law career when he was appointed attoney general by Buchanan in 1860. In 1862, Lincoln appointed Stanton as secretary of war. RRAuction COA.
