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| Lot # 36 PRESIDENT WILLIAM McKINLEY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/14/1900 - Document 35640 |
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WILLIAM McKINLEY
After the Spanish-American War, re: a children's Easter festival for the
Cuban Orphans Society.
TLS: "William McKinley" as President, 1p, 6¾x8¼. Executive
Mansion, Washington, 1900 March 14. Begins: "Dear Madam". The lower
blank portion with the recipient's name has been cut off. In full: "I
write to thank you for the kind invitation extended to me to be present at the
Children's National Easter Festival of the Cuban Orphan Society, to be held in
New York City. The date set, however, is so far in advance that I cannot
determine definitely at present whether I shall be able to attend, although I
fear that public engagements will prevent me from doing so. What has been stated
of the character of the work of your Society has interested me, and it would
appear to be eminently praiseworthy and likely to enlist sympathy and support.
Assuring you of my good wishes for the success of your undertaking."
Although no stranger to the battlefield, President William McKinley had wanted
to act as a mediator between the Cubans and the Spanish rather than follow the
nation's mood of renewed "manifest destiny". Although the Spanish-American War
lasted less than four months, it was not without casualties. The U.S. Army and
Navy reported 1,941 combat casualties, including 298 killed, and 5,000 more died
of disease. Other victims, as evidenced by this letter, included the Cuban
people that U.S. forces were determined to liberate. After the sinking of
the Maine, President McKinley could no longer ignore the nation's cry for
war. On April 25, 1898, the President asked Congress for a Declaration of War
against Spain and his request was approved the same day. After the
Spanish-American War, Cuba was granted its independence, although it was under
U.S. military occupation from 1899-1902 and again from 1906-1909 at the request
of the Cuban government. Light vertical fold touches the second "l" in
William. Lightly soiled. Overall, fine condition.
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