American Historical Ephemera & Photography

GREELEY, Horace (1811-1872). Founder and editor of the influential abolitionist newspaper, the New York Tribune, and 1872 Liberal Republican nominee for President of the United States. 4 autograph letters signed, each written to David Greeley, Horace Greeley's uncle. Includes:

Autograph letter signed ("Horace Greeley"), with postscript signed ("H.G."). Poultney, 12 August 1827. At time time, Greeley was 16 years old. 2 pages, 7 3/4 x 3 in., several folds with many tape repairs, areas of separation at folds, toning. Sixteen-year-old Horace Greeley writes to his uncle about illness and death in the family. He also mentions his father, who "started for the western country" in 1926, while he (Horace Greeley) "came here to learn the Printing Trade." He notes that his father purchased 300 acres of good land in Wayne, PA. 

Autograph letter signed ("Horace Greeley"). New York City, 15 December 1832. 2 1/2 pages, 7 3/4 x 12 1/2 in., several folds, with some separation at folds, few tape repairs. Addressed and canceled on integral leaf. Greeley relays that he moved from Poultney to his father's place out "west." He speaks at length about family members, including "Grandfather Greeley." He discusses his Uncle Benjamin Greeley, who "joined the Temperance Society and the Methodist Church; two things that he was never very fond of while I knew him." 

Autograph letter signed ("Horace Greeley"). New York City, 17 February 1833. 3 pages, 8 x 10 in., several folds, some areas of separation at folds, some loss to edge of terminal leaf. He discusses family members, and notes, "I do not expect for this year at least to be able even to visit the folks at the West, where I had calculated on going the coming fall; as I have entered into arrangement by which I shall be compelled to stick close to my business in this city for some time to come..." Addressed in integral leaf, with cover presumably dressed in Greeley's hand and postmarked 17 February. 

Autograph letter signed ("Horace Greeley"), with postscript signed ("H.G."). New York, 24 January 1841. 3 pages, 7 3/4 x 10 in., folds, some separation near folds.  Addressed and canceled on integral leaf. Greeley writes about attending a Whig convention in New Hampshire and took some time to try and visit family there. He told family he would be returning after "Old Tip's election." He goes on to discuss his uncle, who felt "wolfish" about the results of the election. His grandfather thought it was time for a change, though, "and was not sorry it had come, though he had not voted for it." He described his Uncle Perry as a "good Tippecanoe boy as I want, and rejoiced as heartily as I did on the victory. The boys generally side with their brothers, expect that Uncle Gilbert's Varnum walked straight out for Tip and Tyler." He continues to write about how far he has come since he moved to New York. He says, in part, "As to myself, I get on about as I have ever done. I came into New York about nine years and a half ago with tend dallars [sic] in my pocket but no clothes worth calling clothes, and not a solitary acquaintance even with two hundred miles. I was then under age, free-looking and ill-favored, and was challenged for a runaway apprentice in the offices. I have since fought my way along as well as I could; and though I have not begun to get rich yet, and don't care much about it, I have done my share of work and business, paid my debts about as fast as I promised, and am in no immediate danger of starvation. I have had a hand in politics for a few years past, and especially during the late campaign I think my 'Log Cabin' did its share in overthrowing the party which I believe numbers you among its disciples. No matter; they will be all the better for taking an airing in the minority; it is the best possible position for improving in honesty, patriotism and firmness of principle. A party always comes out of a minority better than it went in - which is a consideration not to be despised. I will warrant it to be so with yours." 

He continues, "I supposed I might put in a petition for an office nowadays along with the rest, but I won't, I have no taste for that business. I have no difficulty in finding enough to do in my way of life as an Editor and Printer, and I shall stick to it..."

Subsequently, Greeley served briefly as a congressman from New York. He was also the unsuccessful candidate of the new Liberal Republican Party in the 1872 presidential election against incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant, who won by a landslide.