2pp., 8vo (248 x 203 mm), on black bordered stationery, old folds

In full: "It is almost painful for me to remember how long since you wrote me and that your kind and acceptable letter still remains unanswered. The beautiful wreath of hair has been very much admired and will always be retained in our family, almost as a sacred relic. We have had a very busy winter, it is now however rapidly drawing to a close. Owing to some changes and repairs being made in the upper part of the establishment, not to speak of the painting going on, which is particularly offensive. We will be deprived of several charming visitors, yourselves included, on the 1st of March - yet if you locate yourselves at Willard's or elsewhere, we will be very happy to have you dine with us and see you frequently. I am interrupted and must close. With kind regards to Gov. Wright and I remain truly yours."

Caroline Wright was the third wife of Joseph A. Wright, who served as the tenth governor of Indiana from 1849 to 1857. A staunch supporter of the Union cause, while Governor Wright contributed a stone to the then-under-construction Washington Monument, which reads, "Indiana knows no East, no West, no North, no South; nothing but Union," where it remains today. When the Civil War broke out, Wright was in Germany and, upon hearing the news, rushed home. Throughout his term as governor, Wright was opposed by Jesse Bright, leader of the state Democratic Party, who in 1857 was responsible for Wright's appointment by James Buchanan as U.S. Envoy to Prussia; he was removed from the United States Senate after offering Confederate President Jefferson Davis advice on procuring weapons, and Wright was installed as his replacement. He married Caroline Wright in 1863, and at Lincoln's request, the two returned to Prussia later that year upon the expiration of Wright's term in the Senate. Wright died in Germany two years after Lincoln's assassination, and his wife, Caroline, followed in 1896.

PROVENANCE:
Eleanor S. Wendell, descendant of Caroline Wright; her sale, Christie's, New York, 20 November 1992, Sale 7574 Lot 281

REFERENCES:
Not in Turner