Description
ALS signed “Thomas H. Benton,”
One page both sides, 6.5 x 8.25
February 4, 1857
Longtime senator of Missouri (1782-1858) who was a strong advocate of westward expansion of the United States, remembered for fighting a duel with Andrew Jackson in 1812 before becoming a key supporter of his administration. Letter to educator John James Hooker of Cincinnati, in part: “Your letter of the 8th ultimo was found…I hasten to reply to the point it presents—that of lecturing twice in Cincinnati…I lectured three times in the Tremont Temple, Boston; and now have four invitations for New York, the same number for Philadelphia, two for Newark (N.J.) and so of other places. The only rule which I can follow in such cases, is that of priority of invitation, but the parties themselves have usually decided it—and the second lecture has been on a different subject; so as to keep up the interest of novelty.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Benton’s own hand.
