Sold – Amidst a Swirl of Events, President Chester A. Arthur Says He Cannot Leave Washington, Not Knowing “what official duties may demand attention”
On September 22, 1881, Chester A. Arthur formally took the oath of office as President. He requested that Garfield's cabinet and appointees delay any resignations until Congress convened in December. However, shortly after this request the Treasury Secretary, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Postmaster General submitted their resignations. He was kept...
On September 22, 1881, Chester A. Arthur formally took the oath of office as President. He requested that Garfield's cabinet and appointees delay any resignations until Congress convened in December. However, shortly after this request the Treasury Secretary, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Postmaster General submitted their resignations. He was kept busy filling the vacancies until Christmas. As the new year got going, Congress was debating the Edmunds Anti-Polygamy Act which would declare polygamy a felony. Democrats were largely opposed because they deemed the act unconstitutional, and Arthur was in favor. In his first annual Presidential address to Congress in December 1881, Arthur requested civil service reform legislation, and the Pendleton Act was introduced, which would institute examinations to appoint people based on merit rather than patronage. So as a new president, Arthur’s time was fully occupied.
Dr. Francis Minot Weld graduated from Harvard in 1860. He received his medical training during the Civil War, and began practicing at the family's home ground near Boston. He came to New York City in 1866, and was one of the founders of the Harvard Club there; he returned to Massachusetts thereafter. He was an Overseer of Harvard College from 1882 to 1889, and newly in the office himself, invited President Arthur to attend a Harvard Dinner.
Letter Signed as President, on Executive Mansion letterhead, Washington, January 7, 1882, to Dr. Weld in New York. “I thank you for your kind letter of Christmas Day, the receipt of which I have not before found time to acknowledge. I cannot promise to accept your kind invitation to attend the Harvard Dinner because I do not now know what official duties may demand attention on the 21st ultimo.”A very uncommon Arthur letter as President. We have not had one in some time.
Frame, Display, Preserve
Each frame is custom constructed, using only proper museum archival materials. This includes:The finest frames, tailored to match the document you have chosen. These can period style, antiqued, gilded, wood, etc. Fabric mats, including silk and satin, as well as museum mat board with hand painted bevels. Attachment of the document to the matting to ensure its protection. This "hinging" is done according to archival standards. Protective "glass," or Tru Vue Optium Acrylic glazing, which is shatter resistant, 99% UV protective, and anti-reflective. You benefit from our decades of experience in designing and creating beautiful, compelling, and protective framed historical documents.
Learn more about our Framing Services
