This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/7/2016
The consignor had the letter examined by Kelley B. Clausing, Assistant Editor, The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, (217) 785-9130, www.papersofabrahamlincoln.org. She responded via email,
The main letter was written on May 22, 1861, by Eliza Morgan, the wife of Edwin D. Morgan, the Governor of New York from 1859-1862. She’s signing her name as “Mrs. E. D. Morgan” in your letter.
The letter is addressed to William H. Seward (also of New York, for what it’s worth), who was Lincoln’s Secretary of State.
Eliza Morgan is talking about her friend, Lieut. Chauncey McKeever. He was in Europe when the American Civil War broke out, and has returned home to the United States and wants a promotion. Eliza is writing to Seward because she knows him personally; she knows Seward will make sure the promotion gets made.
On the last page, Seward writes “Especially recommended to the Secretary of War for deserved promotion.” And Lincoln writes, “I concur.” So both Seward and Lincoln are forwarding this recommendation to Simon Cameron, who was the Secretary of War in 1861. (86N0502)
(JSA Auction Letter)