Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1864-1873. Governor of Ohio (1855–59), he originated the national banking system and issued the first ‘greenbacks’ in 1863. ALS signed “S. Chase,” one lightly-lined page both sides, 7 x 9, March 27, 1856. Letter written while governor of Ohio to an unidentified friend. In part, “The Board of Public Works has directed that the Collector’s Office be removed…If that be so it will be needful to have a first rate man for the place…Now you are the man to whom I would like to give the place. Would you accept it?…How I wish you would come down. I want to see you very much. I rejoice in your friendship and would be glad to have you near me. If you had only consented to be private secretary! But perhaps you may accept a place near me when I am President!” Chase’s political goal was to become President of the United States, but he failed to gain the Republican nomination in either 1856, 1860, or 1864. The Ohio legislature decided to return him to the U. S. Senate in 1861, where he served but two days before resigning to become Lincoln’s Secretary of the Treasury. In fine condition, with mailing folds and some scattered light toning. R&R COA.
