ALS signed “Rutherford B. Hayes,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 8.5, April 9, 1890. Handwritten letter to L. Clark Davis, assistant editor of the Public Ledger in Philadelphia, concerning a potential letter of recommendation for a commission to West Point or Annapolis. In part: "In this case I am ready to do whatever you wish. I must, however, frankly tell you how little it will probably avail. The present administration has been more than friendly and kind. Without asking often or much I have in all cases been gratified by considerate treatment, and always successful—properly so I think—except in one case and that was in the very case you present—not the individual, but the class of appointment. The truth is that the President has so many near to him—Cabinet officers, Senators and Representatives &c &c &c who make personal appeals for the places at the Two Academies that he finds it hard to save his own pet cases. My suggestion is that I write a personal letter introducing you to the President as a special friend of mine…If I merely write in behalf of the young man it will be known, of course, that I do it without personal knowledge of him. I cannot make any more cases, my cases. I am at the end of that string. Indeed I have presented more of them than I intended…I must say that the President's appointments to the Academies are about as hard to get as the best place at his disposal." He adds a brief postscript, signed "H.," giving his schedule for travels to Philadelphia, New York, and Bermuda. In fine condition, with short splits to the ends of the folds. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Hayes's own hand. A desirable, lengthy autograph letter by Hayes, neatly signed with his rare full signature.
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