SOLD Theodore Roosevelt Endorses the Man Who Started His Political Career

Roosevelt was just 23 years old and had never run for office when an experienced politico named Joe Murray became impressed with him and approached him about politics in 1881. T.R., who did not know Murray, asked a common acquaintence, Edward Mitchell, about him and had been reassured. Murray then engineered T.R.’s nomination and election to the New York State Assembly.

Roosevelt’s legislative career was short-circuited in 1884 when his wife and mother died, and he went to live the life of a cowboy in North Dakota. In 1886 he returned east and was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for mayor of New York. A few weeks later he and Edith Carow were married in England.

In March of 1887, the couple returned home from their honeymoon in Europe, and T.R.’s thoughts began again to turn to politics.

A fascinating Theodore Roosevelt Autograph Letter Signed, two pages 8vo, October 1887, to Edward Mitchell, apparently in response to a request from Mitchell for a public statement endorsing Joe Murray, who was running for alderman. “I esteem the 21st District fortunate in the probability of having so admirable a representative in the Aldermanic board as Mr. Joseph Murray. I know Mr. Murray, and deem it a privilege to be considered his friend; I can vouch in every way for his capacity and integrity. He has rendered great service to its cause of decent politics in our district already; his advocacy of the high license bill, his efforts to secure fair primaries, etc etc entitle him to the gratitude of all friends of good government; and he is peculiarly fitted for the post of alderman on account of his knowledge of city affairs.”

Clearly, Murray felt that the endorsement of T.R., who had just run for mayor and thus had instant name recognition, would be useful in his election campaign. However, rather than ask for it himself, which might be perceived as unseemly, he had Mitchell approach Roosevelt. In turn, Roosevelt linked Murray to the theme he cared about the most, and for which he is known in history, good government.

A spectacular association letter, with T.R. thus repaying the man who made his remarkable career possible, one which saw him start as Murray’s protege and rise to the White House.