[Reconstruction] Morris, Daniel — [Autograph Letter Signed] N.Y. Representative Daniel Morris Talks Reconstruction Era Politics with His "Very Radical" Friend

Washington DC, 1866. [3] pp. Bifolium. 7.5 x 10 inches. New York Representative Daniel Morris (1812-1889) writes a friendly rebuttal to Lt. Col. Nixson's recent letter, which had criticized Morris' May 19th speech on Reconstruction. Morris received the criticism gracefully, though insisting that Nixson had become "very radical", taking the time to mention a couple of his friends who had also fallen to political extremism: "My friend .. spent two years here and I found him so conservative that I advised him to go home and mix with the people.. [another] has spent some two years here and in the south, and he has become as radical as Sumner. So the world goes." The letter closes with Morris discussing the upcoming nominations, where he asserts,"I shall not raise a finger - If I am not nominated, I am content. If I am nominated, I shall accept." Dated and signed Washington, D.C. July 18th, 1866 on 39th Congress stationary, D. Morris. Daniel Morris (1812-1889) had been a Free Soil Democrat becoming a Republican on the the founding of that party He elected to the 38th & 39th Congresses (1863 – 1867) but did not run for reelection. Lt. Col. Hixson was most likely Noah Harrison Hixson (1824-1868), a Virginia born Union supporter who was a member of the 13th Ohio Cavalry, attacked by the Copperheads for his Union views. His court-martial was overturned and he went on to promotion as Lt. Col. Apparently he found Morris' speech too middle of the road. A very good crisp copy with faint folds.