Alexander McDonald Letter to Grover Cleveland 1887 August 22

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This two page autograph letter, August 22, 1887, from Alexander McDonald (?-1897), secretary of the Lynchburg Agricultural and Mechanical Society, to "Mr. President" [Grover Cleveland], urges the president to make a brief political trip to the Lynchburg Fairgrounds during October on behalf of the Democratic Party to combat the influence of "Mahoneism" in Virginia, "Speaking now, not as Secretary but as the Editor of a leading Democratic journal, I say that I solemnly believe the best interests of Virginia are involved in this proposed visit and it may be the country too. If you knew, as we do, the horrors of Mahoneism, you would not begrudge us the few hours of your time which we ask."

Biographical / historical:

Alexander McDonald (?-1897) was the editor of The Lynchburg Virginian from 1887-1893, when it was merged into the Lynchburg News by Carter Glass, owner. The letter was part of the papers of Daniel S. Lamont, Cleveland's private secretary and Secretary of War.

Acquisition information:
The Library purchased the letter from Timothy H. Bakken, Halvor Americana, Clarendon Hills, Illinois, on February 2, 1993.
Physical description:
This collection contains 1 item.