TAFT WILLIAM HOWARD Typed Letter Signed WmHTaft to New York

Sale 2394 - Lot 207

Price Realized: $ 2,080

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

"WE WERE ON TRIAL BEFORE THE WORLD IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL" TAFT, WILLIAM HOWARD. Typed Letter Signed, "WmHTaft," to New York banker Isaac N. Seligman, with a few scattered corrections in holograph, declining to attend a Civil Forum meeting at which George Washington Goethals was awarded the Forum's medal of honor for distinguished public service, and praising Goethals's accomplishments and the Forum's appreciation of them. 1 1/4 pages, 4to, written on rectos only of separate sheets, first page on personal stationery; pin holes in upper left corner, horizontal folds. (TFC) New Haven, 2 March 1914

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". . . I feel as if I knew better than anyone else . . . how much Colonel Goethals has had to contend with, and how effectively he has overcome the very great difficulties that confronted him. The patience, nerve and ability which it cost should be set forth in a detailed account of his work . . . . We were on trial before the world in the construction of the Canal, and Colonel Goethals was our standard bearer in the battle we had to make against the forces of nature. He has won the battle. He is entitled to a much greater triumph than he who brings back to his country a victory in war, because the result of his striving and courage and leadership will continue to testify, for centuries after we have all been gathered to our fathers, to the energy, the enterprise, the hopefulness, the courage and the financial power and engineering skill of the American nation. . . ."