Grover Cleveland Autograph Letter Signed as President. Two and one quarter pages on Executive Mansion letterhead, 5" x 8...

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President Cleveland answers a schoolgirl's questions regarding vice presidents that have died while in office

Grover Cleveland Autograph Letter Signed as President. Two and one quarter pages on Executive Mansion letterhead, 5" x 8", Washington DC, January 7, 1886. President Cleveland takes time out of his busy day to answer a letter from Eliza Muehlberg, a young lady with questions about the office of Vice President.

In part: "I should not like to undertake to answer all the hard questions which a young girl could put to the President, but I am inclined to relieve your anxiety and encourage the search for information which if persisted in cannot fail to make you a wise woman. I hope though that you will not spend too much time on questions such as you submit to me, because there are many other things which you may learn at school, better calculated to make you useful and happy." The President then goes on to list the five Vice Presidents that died in office and the year of their election. Thomas A. Hendricks (his own vice president) is included in that list. Hendricks had died on November 25, 1885; and the seat remained empty. The vacant seat is likely the reason for Ms. Muehlberg's anxiety, prompting her question. He closes by saying, "So you see, your teacher is right. Yours truly, Grover Cleveland." Moderate to heavy toning; weakened folds with one inexpert section of strengthening.