Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879 to Aaron F. Perry
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02310 Author/Creator: Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879 Place Written: Brooklyn, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 October 1870 Pagination: 6 p. ; 20.6 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Congratulates Perry on winning his Congressional election and praises him as "honest, true, and capable." Declares, "I have always been for a free tariff, and I believe that that is all the country requires now, to fulfil its mission. My idea of government is, that that is the best one, which has the fewest officers, morally, and physically. The evil of evils of the present day is the desire for office. It is degrading our people and our nation." Comments negatively upon President Ulysses S. Grant's administration, particularly on the President's unfair treatment of Secretary of the Interior Jacob D. Cox. Suspects that Secretary of the Treasury George S. Boutwell will be Grant's next victim, but declares him "incorruptible": "It is said he is becoming too prominent to suit Grant in the discharge of his duties." Recounts a story about Simon Cameron's corruption during the Civil War and talks about how Cameron has become Grant's chief advisor. Declares, "I do hope our next President, may possess ordinary information, and at least may have the instincts of a gentleman." Written at the Brevoort House.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.