ALS signed “S. P. Chase,” one page both sides, 5.25 x 8.25, July 1, 1868. Letter to Thomas Ewing regarding a possible presidential nomination. In part: “I return the letter of your honored father…few things have ever given me more real satisfaction than the perusal of it. The movement favorable to my nomination at New York has taken entirely by surprise, and I have never been able to persuade myself that the object of it could be attained. The confidence advocated by the movement is however most gratifying and satisfying. It will give me increased resolution and earnestness in the performance of my duties. The assurances…from every side leave no doubt…of success and nomination & in the event of nomination and success, I trust I should so act that neither the great party which makes the nomination nor the great body of patriotic citizens…would have any chance to regret their action…Please say to your father that he is entirely right as to my views of suffrage & state rights. What I desire for the Southern states is peace & prosperity; with all disfranchisements & disabilities removed; and all rights returned to all citizens. And it is my opinion that these ends will be best secured by extending suffrage to all citizens. But the practical disposition of the question of suffrage as well as all other domestic questions is for the people of the States themselves…On the question I adhere to my old states rights overtures.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, chipping and some surface loss to edges, and show-through from writing to opposing sides. Provenance: The Everett Fisher Collection.
Chase had been appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court by President Lincoln in 1864 and served in that capacity until his death in 1873. He sought the Democratic nomination in 1868 but received little support at the Democratic National Convention due in part to his advocacy for black suffrage, which he alludes to in this letter. The DNC took place shortly after this letter from July 4–9 and resulted in the nomination of Horatio Seymour, who had actually been one of Chase’s biggest supporters. Excellent political content from the Reconstruction era. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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