circa 1861-1865

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Photograph

Title: Vignette bust view of Lincoln's 2nd Secretary of the Treasury, 1864

Imprint on recto "Brady Washington." Graphite inscription on verso "92 9 3 1/4" Photographers imprint on verso: "Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries Broadway & Tenth St. New York & No. 352 Pennsylvania Av. Washington D.C."

GLC05111.02.0087

circa 1861-1865

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Photograph

Title: Vignette bust view of Lincoln's 2nd Secretary of the Treasury, 1864

Ink signature on recto "W.P. Fessenden Me." Ink inscription on image "18." Imprint on recto "Entered according to Act of Congress by M.B. Brady & Co. in the year 1865 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia." Graphite inscription on verso "Fessenden Maine." Photographers imprint on verso: "M.B. Brady & Co. National Photographic Portrait Galleries No. 352 Pennsylvania Av. Washington D.C. & New York." Cancelled blue two-cent tax stamp on verso.

GLC05111.02.0088

24 July 1864

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Grimes

Worries about the defense of Washington and discusses his new position as Secretary of the Treasury. The state of the treasury is bad, his task is very complicated, and his health makes the problem worse. Worries about the safety of Washington, the strategy of the Union army, and the actions of the politicians. "In my humble judgment, we are going to the Devil politically, at a pretty swift pace. Every body sees it except those who should see it most clearly, and yet we blunder on as stupidly, or more stupidly, than ever. Only worse blunders on the part of our adversaries will save us -…

GLC05603.01.01

December 12, 1840

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thurman Fessenden, John Underwood, and Samuel Tisdale

Fessenden, Maine Senator-Elect, thanks members of the New England Society of the City of New York for an invitation to attend the Society's anniversary on December 22, 1840. Declines the invitation, which commemorated the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Offers these sentiments on the anniversary: "The spirit of the Pilgrims- Trust in God, and unwavering constancy of purpose. With that spirit our Country's liberties were won. Without it they cannot be preserved."

GLC01465

23 May 1863

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ira Perley

States he cannot promise to attend an event, because of his poor health. His health has forced him to "abstain from all public speaking," and prevents him from "going abroad."

GLC02490.06

1815-1860

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Signature

Title: W. P. Fessenden

GLC05603.02.03

February 28, 1854

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James D. Fessenden

Writes to his son about his opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. Fessenden, who had recently been sworn in as a Maine senator, comments that "The Nebraska outrage occasions great feelings here...It is near pretty well understood that the free states were sold by their leaders in 1850...and they are to be plundered. I see no help for it. If the Southern Whigs stopped the measure in body...there is no longer a national Whig party for me." Earlier in the letter he urges James to stay in his position, which he apparently dislikes and discusses Frank's (possibly Francis, another of his sons…

GLC08935

1861 ca.

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite bust portrait by Mathew Brady

Vignette bust profile with signature beneath the image.

GLC05604.04

1861 ca.

Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869

Photograph

Title: Profile view of Lincoln's 2nd Secretary of the Treasury, 1864

Graphite inscription on verso "Given by S.S. Feb. 1861" "Fessenden."

GLC05111.02.0086