ALS signed “J. A. Garfield,” one page, 7.75 x 10, Thirty-second Congress, House of Representatives letterhead, April 6, 1871. Letter to Elihu B. Washburne, US minister to France. In part: “Permit me to introduce my friend and colleague…He goes to Europe with his family to spend the summer. I commend him to your kind regards as one of the best and truest men in the present Congress—We are all proud of you for the heroic way you have stood up in the beleaguered capital of France.” Intersecting folds, irregular toning to the right side, and a mounting strip along the left edge, otherwise fine condition. By this point, the French had been essentially defeated in the Franco-Prussian War with the Siege of Paris that had concluded only three months before Garfield sent this this letter, thus his interesting comment. Washburne was the only diplomat from a major power to stay in Paris during the war, heroically standing tall at his post even as the Prussian army ravaged the city with violence, where he risked his own life to provide both diplomatic and humanitarian support to protect American citizens and others as best he could. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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