Beschreibung
Three letters; two of which have their original mailing envelopes with postal cancellations and are handwritten on Treasury Department, Bureau of Statistics Washington, D.C. letterhead paper. The first letter, also handwritten and dated July '92 is on Century Club 7 West Forty-Third St. notepaper. This is 2 1/2" pages, signed Worthington C. Ford and is in regards to letters that a Miss Barrell has lent to Ford for his historical research; addressing My dear Madame: ".I have given them a hasty examination, and find them much of interest and very much to prove that the writer was a man of attainment above the average. I hope you will go with me one step further, and allow me to give credit to the source whence these letters was derived. If Miss Barrell supplies the material, it is only fair that Miss Barrell should receive the credit." and with further news on other research requests with his correspondent. The second letter, 2 pages, writing directly to "My dear Miss Barrell" on 26 August 1894, regarding the letters being used in his publication and requesting patience in the return of the material; his previous correspondent, Mrs. Laidler, has asked for return of her papers with a ".somewhat harsh change in her demand, which I thought uncalled for." He also qualifies his plans for method of return, ". You may remember it was from Genl. Alex. Webb (Union Civil War general Alexander Stewart Webb 1835 - 1911) I received it, as your Brother had given it to him. By rights, it is to the Gen'l I must return it." The final letter, 3 pages, dated 6 Sept. '95; Ford states that ".I am sorry there should be any further question on the volume of Mss. of Joseph Barrell, for it is the only difficulty which has arisen in the progress of the work. I thought I had made it plain to you, that I received the volume from Gen'l Alex. S. Webb, and without any knowledge of the manner in which he became possessed of it, I was bound to return it to him, and this has been done.As soon after the completion of Vol. III was consistent with safety against criticism of the accuracy of the work, the Mss. were returned to those from whom I had received them.nothing was said to me when the Barrell volume was turned over to my keeping of any pledges of ownership. Indeed your brother gave me to understand that he had given the volume to Gen'l Webb, and that you had "given" it to him (Mr. C.B.)." Worthington Chauncey Ford (1858 - 1941) historical editor and bibliographer; at the time of the writing of these letters, Ford was the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics at the Treasury Dept., being appointed to the post by President Grover Cleveland. ".widely regarded as the most prolific editor in the field of American historiography who ever lived, published well over 250 separate works; these include reports, articles, and books he either wrote, edited, or compiled. In addition, he wrote many unsigned items and contributed indirectly to the production of other books.It was inevitable that Ford, who worked rapidly and for dangerously long hours, should display some weaknesses. His monumental strengths, however, included his grasp of American history, his ability to see value in neglected documents, and his professional generosity." Ford's professional career included years in various roles at the Library of Congress. (Robert L. Gale in the ANB) It is unclear from the letters as to the exact publication 'in press' that is under question. Notepaper approx. 5" x 8" size; a little splitting along old lines, light wear; in very good condition. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 029110
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