Thomas, Chas. W., (fl. 1880) to Blanche Kelso Bruce
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09400.050 Author/Creator: Thomas, Chas. W., (fl. 1880) Place Written: Griffin, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 April 1880 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 20.1 x 12.4 cm. Order a Copy
This letter has three main focuses, the first is a letter of thanks for a note that Senator Bruce sent to a tenant of Thomas which he said was much appreciated and according to the tenant James H Osborne will be kept for the next generation. The second part of the letter is a request to put a good word in for Thomas concerning a position in the secretary of war's office. The third portion mentions a book "Adventures and Observations in Africa" which he recommends to the senator, and offers to send the Senator a copy.
Blanche Kelso Bruce was born into slavery near Farmville, Prince Edward County, Va. on March 1 1841. He was tutored by his master's son, but left his master at the beginning of the civil war and taught school in Hannibal Mo. After the civil war Bruce became a planter in Mississippi, and a member of the Mississippi Levee Board, and Sheriff and Tax Collector for Bolivar County from 1872-1875. Bruce was then elected as a Republican to the United States Senate, where he served from March 4 1875 - March 3 1881. Bruce was the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate. In 1881 Bruce was appointed by President James Garfield as the Register of the Treasury. Bruce then went on to serve as the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Colombia from 1891-1893, returning to the office of Register of the Treasury from 1897 until his death on March 17, 1898.
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