Description

Description: During the 1908 Presidential election Theodore Roosevelt promoted the election of Taft as his successor (Taft had served as Secretary of War in his administration). By the next  presidential election (1912) their relationship had soured and Roosevelt ran against him as a third party candidate, essentially allowing Wilson to become President.

In this short typed letter signed Taft refers to the animosity that had grown between the two men. He acknowledges having said: “A man will stand a certain amount of abuse but when driven into a corner will arrive at a point where his manhood will assert itself and he will strike back.” This was said in response to “the personal lashings of Mr. Roosevelt”.

The full transcript of Taft’s letter to a Mr. E. J. W. Fink reads: “My Dear Mr. Fink: I have your letter of October 30th. You & not your friend are quite right as to the remarks made by me and its occassion. Sincerely yours Wm. H. Taft”.

Taft’s Nov. 1, 1919 letter is typed on a 10″ x 8″ sheet of stationery imprinted “William H. Taft Washington, D.C.” There are three words added in Taft’s hand. It is framed with a retained copy of the original letter written by Fink and an original photograph of Taft. Archivally framed to: 15 1/2″ x 28″. Item #A01285

Condition: Mailing fold lines, a pin hole from filing, otherwise very good condition.