ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, July 23, 1883. Letter to his old friend, Colonel C.W. Woolley. In part: “Of course, I cannot say, of my personal knowledge, what did or did not pass between Mr. Gould & Gen. Garfield, but it is evident from the circumstances, that no such negotiation and bargain, as that charged, could have referred to me. It could not have been anticipated at that time that Gen. Garfield would be called upon to appoint a successor to Judge Swayne, for it was well understood that, that would be done by Prest. Hayes and no one expected there would be any opposition in the Senate." In fine condition, with tape remnants to last page as well as some scattered soiling. When Garfield took office as president in March 1881, he immediately met strong opposition from members of the US Senate to the numerous appointments that he was requesting, many being fellow Ohioans. It is not known whether there was particular opposition to his appointment of Matthews in 1881 to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Associate Justice N.H. Swayne. However at the time of the writing of this letter, almost two years after Garfield's death, the issues of political deals and favoritism surrounding the appointment were being aggressively pursued. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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