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Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE, SR. Letter Signed by the president's father, demonstrating his principled approach to public affairs, to [Joseph Hodges] Choate. 3 pages, 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, in a secretarial hand over his signature, on one sheet of Roosevelt & Son letterhead; folds. New York, 16 April 1877
Here Theodore Roosevelt (1831-1878), the father of President, responds to an invitation to serve as Customs Collector for the Port of New York. Writing to the law partner of Secretary of State William Evarts, he declares his willingness to accept the post only if allowed to pursue vigorous reforms: "I would expect the same power that I have always exercised in my own business to dismiss incompetent or dishonest officials and appoint good ones. . . . While I would naturally give a preference to Republicans if equally competent, I would not consider the question of politics in removing from office. Much of my success would depend upon the appointment of men of high character. . . . I could not run the Custom House as a party machine, devote my own time to politics, or ask my subordinates to do so. . . . If under the circumstances the President thinks it wise to appoint some one else, please request Mr. Evarts not to urge my nomination." Predictably, this wasn't the approach Congress had in mind, and Roosevelt's nomination was rejected by the Senate.
