SOLD! for $720.00.
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Archive of correspondence between President Warren Gamaliel Harding (b. 1865-d. 1923, 29th President of the United States 1921-1923, and United States Senator from Ohio 1915-1921), and Dr. Delphos Brown Virtue (1866-1935, a Physician and friend of Harding's from Morrow County, near Marion, OH). Includes three (3) Harding signed letters, 7 items total. The letters, dated between 1919 and 1922, primarily discuss post World War I topics including Virtue's assignment as Officer in Charge of U.S. Veterans Hospital No. 69, Newport, Kentucky, Virtue's sons, who also served in the war, the League of Nations, and the Treaty of Versailles. 1st item: TLS. One page typed bifolium letter on the White House, Washington, D.C. stationary from President Harding to Virtue, Cincinnati, OH, dated March 8, 1922. The letter discusses letters sent by Virtue (see 6th-7th items), reading,"My dear Virtue: I am in receipt of your letter of March 6th. I am laying the matter before General Cumming and have asked him to deal with it in the most favorable manner consistent with the situation. It will be pleasing to me, of course, if your problem can be brought without violating the properties. With very best regards, I am, Very truly yours," with Harding's signature below. Includes a White House envelope with red George Washington two cent stamp, postmarked March 8, 1922, 5 P.M., Washington, D.C. Letter – 9" H x 14 1/4" W. Envelope – 4 3/4" H x 7 3/8" W. Note: Hugh Smith Cumming (1869-1948) was an American physician, and soldier. He served as the fifth Surgeon General of the United States from 1920 to 1936. 2nd item: TLS. Two page typed letter on United States Senate, Committee of the Philippines stationary from Senator Harding to Virtue, Iberia, OH, dated August 4, 1919. The letter discusses the League of Nations, reading "Mr Dear Dr. Virtue: I beg to acknowledge yours of July 31st. I am very glad indeed that you are soon to welcomeyour son home and have your fireside organization complete. I am also glad to have your expression of opinion concerning the sentiment of your community relating to the League of Nations. You have probably gathered from some vagrant publicity that I am utterly opposed to the covenant as it was negotiated, and I am frank to say hereinthat I should be glad to go much further and kick the League proposition into a discard. I do not think we will have the votes to go so far as that, but I am sure we are going to render the thing innoxious[sic] before ratifying the Treaty. I note what you say concerning doing the righteous thing by the men of our country who entered into military service for the War. A great many propositions are pending before Congress and it is certain that we have this question to deal with. I rather think that there will be the enactment of some bonus consideration, though there are some very good grounds for choosing that specific line of action. I need not tell you that I feel the gratitude which the Republic owed to its defenders , and I shall be more than pleased to do what seems to be the righteous thing when called upon to cast the vote." He ends the letter by expressing his interest in hearing about Virtue's war experiences and that he hopes to "…drive over the Iberia and take very great pleasure in looking youup. With assurances of my very cordial regards, I am Very Sincerely," with Harding's signature below. 10 5/8" H x 8 1/8" W. 3rd item:TLS. One page typed letter on United States Senate, Committee of the Philippines stationary from Senator Harding to Virtue, Iberia, OH, dated July 14, 1919. The letter discusses an inquiry sent by Virtue about his second son's discharge from service (see 5th item), reading "My dear Mr. Virtue: I have your letter under date of July 12th. I am directing a note of inquiry to the proper officials relative to the return of Ambulance No. 329, 2nd Corps, Sanitary Train, and will advise you at the very earliest opportunity. I am asking the Senate Folding Room to send you a copy of the Peace Treaty, If it does not reach you within a reasonable length of time do not hesitate to advise me. With very kindest personal regards, I am Very truly yours," with Harding's signature below. 10 5/8" H x 8 1/8" W. 4th item: TLS.One page typed bifolium letter on the White House, Washington, D.C. stationary from George Busby Christian, Jr. (1873-1951), President Harding's secretary, to Virtue, Cincinnati, OH, dated February 8, 1922. Christian writes in regards to a letter and photograph that Virtuesent Harding on January 28th and expresses appreciation on Harding's behalf, with Christian's signature below.Includes a White House envelope, postmarked February 8, 8:30 P.M., Washington, D.C. Letter – 9 1/2" H x 11 1/2" W. Envelope – 3 5/8" H x 6 1/8" W. Note: Christian was the son of Colonel George Busby Christian (1846-1930), Company B, Independent Battalion, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, also fromMarion, Marion County, OH. 5th item: Copy of one (1) typed letter, from Virtue, Iberia, OH, to the Honorable Warren G. Hahding [sic], United States Senate, Washington, D.C., dated July 12, 1919. The letter discusses Virtue's second son, Private, Raymond S. Virtue, Ambulance Company 329, 2nd Corps SanitaryTrain, last stationed at or near Coblens, Germany, and Virtue's desire to have Raymond discharged from the army so he could continue his studies at the Ohio State University, Agricultural College, in September. He also discusses the war experiences of his first son and himself and requests that Harding send him a copy of The Treaty of Versailles, signed in June 1919. Unsigned. 10 1/2" H x 7 7/8" W. 6th-7th items: Two (2) carbon copies of one page typed letters, from Virtue, Cincinnati, OH, to President Harding, Washington, D.C., dated March 6 and May 8, 1922. The letters discuss the assignment as Officer in Charge of U.S. VeteransHospital No. 69, Newport, Kentucky, and the possibility of a promotion, as well as his communications with General Cummings about the promotion. Unsigned. Both approximately11" H x 8 5/8" W. Also includes photocopies of biographical data regarding Virtue. 11 1/8" H x 8 5/8" W. Note: Delphos Brown Virtue was a Ohio physician who served on the home frontduring WWI. He retired in 1913 from the Veterans Administration. CONDITION: All items in overall good condition with foxing spots, toning, tears, rust stains from paper clips, to be expected from age. Envelopes with tears to be expected from manner of use. Harding presidential signature in overall good, legible condition, senatorial signatures with some smudging. Christian signature in overall good condition.