The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-08-05

r
did not forget his Southern courtesy. The
following is the text of his letter to
Mr.. King, who had admired his penman-
ship and winked at his sentiments:
Washington, D. c., February 26, 1861
Hon. Horatio King, Postmaster-Gen-
eral:--
My Dear Sir-In leaving the post
office department, allow me to tender my
thanks, and to assure you personally that
! shall ever hold you in grateful re-
membrance. With esteem and respect,
PERRY MOSES"
Another interesting paper in the col
lection is an autograph letter written by
Elisha Whittlesby, of the Controllers
Office in the Treasury Department, to
Montgomery Blair, then Postmaster Gen
eral, which resulted in the appointment
of the first woman employee of the postal
service and the second to be employed
in any government department in Wash,
ington. The letter follows:-
Treasury Department,
Controllers Office,
December g. 1851.
''Sir-Having understood you had de-
cided to employ females in the dead les-
ter Office under recent act of Congress
authorizing you to employ an additional
force, l present for your consideration
the application of Miss Elizabeth John
son, of Cleveland, Ohio, who now and for
some months has been in this city.
''She is a young lady, well educated,
well behaved and member Of ne Pres
byterian Church. Her father died some
years since, leaving widow woman and
large family of children.
Elizabeth D. was born in New Or
leans, teaching school when the seeding
States withdrew. Not disposing to re-
main there, she was protected by the
colonel of a regiment from New Orleans
to Richmond, who was acquaintd with
her. From Richmond she went to Nor
folk, where. when she came TO Fortress
Monroe with a trunk and a flag of truce,
from thence to Baltimore in the regular
steamer, and from there here by railroad
A trunk containing her winter clothing
was put in charge of a gentleman who
came to this city and lost it between
Richmond and Fortress Monroes
The little money that she had is now
exhausted and she is in debt for few
weeks past. She is the person of whom
an account was given at the time in the
papers as having created a sensation on
board of the boat by hurrahing when she
first saw the Stars and Stripes at Fort
ress Monroe. Of her loyalty there can
be no doubt, and for it l will be respon-
sible.
1T seems to me that you will not have
case that will appeal more strongly to
your sense of justice nor to your sympa-
thy for Kindness. | was acquainted with
her ancestors in Connecticut and have
seen her in Cleveland. Her application
is before you, and / hope it will prevail.
| should have waited on you in person
if could leave the office without disap,
pointing those creditors of the United
States who are waiting for their money.
''The Hon. Mr.. Theaker is acquainted
with Miss Johnson and win wait on you
in her behalf
"ELISHA WHITTLESEY.'
"P. S-Mr. Theaker has heard of the
death of his wife in Bridgeport. Ohio,
and has left for his home Prof. Donald
Mclean, clerk in this office will wait
on you with this letter, and he is also ac-
quainted with Miss johnson. E. W.
Mr.. Blair made the desired appoint
ment and Mr.. Whittlesey's letter bears
the following endorsement in the POST
master-General's handwriting
Somewhat mixed, but his heart is in
the right place. Recommendation APP
proved
There are many documents in the old
file which have sentimental and histor-
ical interest, and out-of-the-way places
of the department are being ransacked
in search Of additional documents.
STATE e a r AT DENvER