Letter Written On Behalf Of President Andrew Johnson Declining A Dinner Invitation Just One Month After He Survived Impeachment Trial: I Love Greatly To Pay Tribute To A Self Made Man A Self Made Man Myself Having Risen From The Position Of An Alderman In My Native Village Through The Various Grades Of State Legislator Governor Of My Native State, Representatives In Congress, Senator, Vice President To The Humble Position I Now Hold As President Of A Great And Glorious Republic

ANDREW JOHNSON (1808-1875). Johnson was the Seventeenth President. Letter. 2 pg. 8 x 10. July 28. 1868. Washington, D.C. A letter written on behalf of A. Johnson to Gentlemen declining an invitation to a banquet celebrating the birthday of a mutual friend. As Johnson disdained handwriting, this is in the handwriting of a secretary. In giving the reason for declining the invitation, President Johnson cites I regret exceedingly that my labors on behalf of an imperiled constitution will deprive me of the pleasure of paying due honors to your distinguished guest. For Johnson, going to the banquet would be gratifying since he and the guest are self-made men: I love greatly to pay tribute to a self made man a self made man myself having risen from the position of an alderman in my native village through the various grades of state legislator Governor of my native state, representatives in Congress, Senator, Vice President to the humble position I now hold as President of a great and glorious republicPermit me to thank you gentlemen, for your kind invitation and the opportunity it thus affords me to pay my humble tribute to a self-man made. Johnson then concludes the letter by returning to his theme of an imperiled country: Believe me, that pressing official duties alone prevent me from meeting around your festive band and raising my humble voice in offering a toast to that sacred and much violated instrument, the great work of our revolution of sires, a record which we are all bound to love and obey the Constitution. That year, President Johnson survived removal by the United States Senate by one vote over violations of the Tenure of Office Act, the culmination of a running feud with Radical Republicans in Congress over Reconstruction and civil rights for blacks. A list of the gentlemen addressed in the letter is given on the left side of the first page. The letter is in fine condition and an excellent example of Andrew Johnsons mindset.