Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Garfield, James A. (James Abram) (1831-1881) to John Sherman

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01517 Author/Creator: Garfield, James A. (James Abram) (1831-1881) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 March 1867 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Argues that Dr. C. Woodworth, a nominee for postmaster of Trumbull County, Ohio, is nominated solely because he is an acquaintance of President Johnson: "It is only another evidence that the President is unwilling to listen to the wishes of the people." This contradicts the expressed wishes of the electorate in Trumbull County, who signed a petition to appoint Henry H. Townsend, a soldier. Declares, "I have received many letters and telegrams molesting against the appointment of Woodworth, and therefore respectfully recommend that his nomination be rejected by the Senate." Written on House of Representatives Committee of Ways and Means letterhead.

John Sherman was a Congressman from Ohio's 13th District from 1859-1861, and then a Senator from 1861-1877. He served as Secretary of the Treasury under President Hayes, 1877-1881, and served as Secretary of State under President McKinley, 1897-1898. James A. Garfield wrote this letter during his term as a Congressman from Ohio. The letter mentions Warren, which is the county seat of Trumbull County, Ohio.

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881
Sherman, John, 1823-1900
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
Townsend, Henry H., fl. 1867
Woodworth, C., fl. 1867

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources