Beschreibung:

GRANT, ULYSSES S., President . Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant") as President, to Justin S. Morrill, Long Beach, New Jersey, 15 September 1870. 2 1/2 pages, 4to, lined stationery , fine condition. [ With :] Autograph free frank ("U.S. Grant") on engraved envelope ("From the President of the United States") addressed in Grant's hand to "Hon. Justin H. Morrill V.A.S. [Vermont Agricultural Society?] Strafford Vt," printed note "Private Secretary" lined through by Grant, black circular postmark "New York Sep 16 1.30 P.M." Illustrated in Phillips, American Stampless Cover Catalog , vol. 2, p. 208. A lengthy letter explaining his failure to attend a Vermont State Fair. "Your note...informing me that the officers of the Vt. Ag[ricultural?] Society desired to learn the day when I would leave here, to visit the State Fair, was no doubt, duly received at my home. But, in some way, probably by the act of a servant cleaning up my office, your letter... was put in my desk...and has only now, by accident, come to my notice. This then is my apology for not earlyer [ sic ] replying to you. I could not however have attended your Fair even had I received your letter in time. It would have afforded me great pleasure to have done so...Hoping that this explanation will be satisfactory to you...and to the people of Vt...." Exhibited : World Stamp Expo '89, Washington, D.C., 17 November--3 December 1989.