Stahel, Julius (1825-1912) To unknown
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02869.02 Author/Creator: Stahel, Julius (1825-1912) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 September 1888 Pagination: 2 p. ; 27 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Writes, "I beg to acknowledge with sincerest thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, conveying to us the unanimous invitation of the Committee of Hungarian Veterans of 48 and 61, to preside at the mass meeting shortly to be held under their auspices in this City. I hail with great pleasure the prospect of the re-union for the purposes so patriotically expressed in your letter and I appreciate most fully the honor proposed to be conferred upon me by the Committee, and would the state of my health permit, nothing would afford me greater pleasure than to be with you on the occasion of your meeting. I regret to say, however, that I shall be compelled very soon to take a vacation for rest and recuperation, I have for this reason, been compelled to decline other invitations. Please convey to the Committee my thanks for their kind invitation, and my sincere regrets that I shall not be able to be with you."
Julius Stahel (1825-1912) was a Hungarian freedom fighter during the 1840s, agitating for independence from Austria. He emigrated to the United States, where he became a decorated Union Major General during the Civil War. Subsequent to his military career he served as an American diplomat in Japan before returning to settle permanently in the United States.
The bearer Mr. Alexis Ludvigh native of Hungary; County of Szepes, is going to the United States America with the consent of his parents, and the intention to make the States his adoptive home. I am well acquainted with his father, who being one of the Representatives of the people to the National Assembly of Hungary 1848 has so much signalised [sic] himself by his resolute patriotism, and firm democratic principles, that I selected him to the important trust of a Civil Commissioner of the government with the main army. He is now in exile like myself; and prefers to see his son emigrate to America, than leave him, under the intolerable rule of Austria.
From the friendship I bear to the father, I take a lively interest in the concerns of the son; desire this to testify to his respectability, honourable [sic] purposes, and ability, and shall rejoice in learning that this my certificate may have served him as a recommendation, with those in the U.S. who might be inclined to favour [sic] with their protection a deserving young gentleman, in the arduous task of getting a start by his own honorable exertions in a foreign land, hereafter his home.
London December 3d. 1859
L. Kossuth
Late Governor of Hungary
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