Schuyler Colfax Letters, 1861-1864 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

Scope and Contents:

The collection contains photostats of the correspondence of Schuyler Colfax. The letters discuss the election of Abraham Lincoln, the necessity for compromise, and the compensation of senators.

Biographical/Historical Context:

Schuyler Colfax (1823-1885) was an American journalist, businessman, and politician who served as Vice President of the United States from 1869 to 1873, during Ulysses Grant's first term as President. Prior to that he was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana from 1855 to 1869 and Speaker of the House from 1863 to 1869.

Acquisition Source: The letters are photostats of the originals in the Schuyler Colfax Papers at the Library of Congress.