Description:

ELLEN A. WILSON
(1860-1914) First Lady of the United States, first wife of President Woodrow Wilson, died shortly into her husband's term from kidney disease. Rare, great content A.L.S. as First Lady on 'The President's Cottage' letterhead, 3pp. 8vo, New Hampshire, July 17, 1913, to 'My dear Mrs. Hopkins' graciously declining an invitation to a meeting in Knoxville. In part: '...I hope you will pardon a rather hurried reply to your letter...I am very very sorry but I do not feel that I can bring up again with Mr. Wilson the question of the Knoxville meeting. It would distress and disturb him, and I would not be justified in doing that...He seems to think that if I once begin to attend conventions 'all is lost' for him because the pressure upon me will be overwhelming to keep it up...I must let the whole matter drop...if it seems to me wise and right I will quietly tell him...it is a matter of conscience...' Moderate stain along the right margin of the first page affecting some text, else fine. Mrs. Hopkins absolutely refers to Charlotte Everett Hopkins (1851-1935), a civic leader and philanthropist. As president of several relief and charity organizations she sought to eradicate the slums in Washington D.C. and improve living conditions for the working class. She is said to have written to every First Lady from Frances Cleveland to Eleanor Roosevelt to enlist their help for her cause, and this certainly worked on Ellen Wilson. Despite her brief time living in the capital as First Lady, Mrs. Wilson often toured the city slums, bringing members of the legislative branch with her to convince them of the need for a change. Her efforts came to fruition on August 6, 1914, the same day she succumbed to Blight's Disease, when Congress passed 'Mrs. Wilson's Bill' which sought to demolish the alleys within ten years and build new housing. An important letter from the last First Lady to die in office.

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August 26, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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