(JOHNSON ANDREW) WENDELL BARRETT Autograph Letter Signed to

Sale 2483 - Lot 176

Price Realized: $ 344

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Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600

(JOHNSON, ANDREW.) WENDELL, BARRETT. Autograph Letter Signed, to "My dear Mr. Haven," describing Johnson's distraught state during the impeachment proceedings. 4 pages, 6x4 1/4 inches, on one folding sheet, docketed on fore-edge of first page; folds, minimal wear. With typed transcript. Boston, 4 October 1889

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Barrett Wendell (1855-1921) was a Harvard literature professor who here passes on an interesting anecdote about Andrew Johnson: "I have it directly from the man concerned. This was an intimate friend of Mr. Hugh McCulloch, who as you may remember was Johnson's Secretary of the Treasury. During the impeachment this gentleman, who chanced to be in Washington, called on Mr. McCulloch. The Secretary . . . asked him his opinion of the president. 'I think him,' said the visitor, 'impolitic but thoroughly honest." 'You must tell him so,' said Mr. McCulloch. In spite of protestations, the visitor was hurried to the White House & into some inner room, where they found Johnson alone. There he was asked to repeat to the president what he had said to the secretary. With natural hesitation he did so. When he came to the word 'honest' Johnson sprang to his feet, held out both hands & literally weeping, grasped the hands of the visitor, too much affected to speak." The president was moved to tears by a random stranger coming in off the street to express confidence in his honesty.