Grover Cleveland

ALS as president, one page both sides, 5 x 8, Executive Mansion letterhead, March 16, 1886. Handwritten letter to Don M. Dickinson of Detroit, Michigan, in full: "An application is too strongly pressed upon me to appoint Romeyn of Detroit's Consul to Valparaiso Chile. I think you know him somewhat. He used to be in the Michigan Legislature I believe. This Consul is quite an important one and I want you to tell me confidentially all you know of this man and all you can find out — good, bad and indifferent. Please let me hear from you as soon as possible.” In fine condition.

Donald McDonald Dickinson (1846–1917) was a Detroit attorney and one of Cleveland's closest political allies, having been an early and active supporter of his 1884 presidential campaign. At the time of this letter, Dickinson was a member of the Democratic National Committee from Michigan. Two years later, in January 1888, Cleveland appointed him Postmaster General, the position he held through the end of Cleveland's first term. Dickinson County, Michigan, organized in 1891, was named in his honor.