Autograph Letter Signed. Saugerties, New York, October 2 [1846], to William E. Robinson, Buffalo, New York
quarto, two pages, plus stampless address leaf, formerly folded, in very good, clean, and legible condition.
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“…I
address you at the request of some of the prominent whigs of this village who
wish you to pay them a visit some time before the coming election, during the
latter part of this month; they agree with me in thinking that you could do a
wonderful deal of good here, in and around Saugerties, there are several
hundred Irishmen who could turn out en masse to hear you. The whigs appear
determined to have Sherrill [Charles Sherrill, US Congressman 1847-1849]
elected and [?] this way of maring it doubly sure, they think at all events
your presence here would be a great thing for them…Russell the opposing
candidate is wealthy and has a considerable number of men in his employ and no
doubt expects from this source a considerable number of votes. The few who send
this invitation are delighted at the prospect of seeing you here, are ready to
pay your expenses and insure you a hearty reception…as short a time before
election as possible…”
William
Erigena Robinson was born in Ireland in 1814, immigrated to the US and settled
in New York City in 1836. After
graduating from Yale and lecturing for two years at Yale Law School, he was
hired by Horace Greeley to be assistant editor of his newly-established New
York Tribune, eventually becoming its only Washington correspondent, writing
under the name “Richelieu”. The Tribune was the leading newspaper of the Whig
Party and Robinson became famous among Irish-Americans for his political
columns, as well as his ardent support of the Irish Relief Bill of 1846 during
the Irish Famine. As a dedicated Whig,
he stood apart among Irish-born politicians, almost all of whom were allied
with the Democratic Party and New York’s Tammany Hall.
