LS signed “J. A. Garfield,” four pages, lightly-lined on two adjoining sheets, 4.75 x 7.25, personal letterhead, no date. Letter to Charles B. Norton, beginning the letter commenting on efforts to reduce the national debt after the Civil War. In part: “Our financial prospects are steadily growing brighter. We have pretty effectually put down Repudiation and Repudiation and [sic] are having a surplus in Revenue to apply to the reduction of the debt. I think the time is not far distant when we may be able to refund a large amount of our debt at a lower rate of interest. Since I wrote you I have been appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Banking and Currency and am thus in charge of all our legislation on that subject. I think you and I can be of service to each other in our financial studies. I shall recommend you to the confidence of Mr Boutwell our new Secy of the Treasury…I have our Census Legislation in charge and desire to perfect that Bill as proposed. We ought to have a representation in the next Statistical International Congress which meets at the Hague…I shall call the attention of our authorities to your Ordnance report and have hopes to say that the part you have taken in is properly recognized.” Garfield was likely referring to one of two works by Charles B. Norton published in 1868: Report on the Munitions of War and Report to the Government of the United States on the Munitions of War: Exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition. A horizontal fold through upper portion of Garfield’s signature, some partial separations to other horizontal folds, and a red pencil mark to top of first page, otherwise fine condition. Garfield served as the Chairman of the Banking and Currency Committee during the Reconstruction, which worked to bring back financial stability to the fractured nation. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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