Civil War Naval Hero David Porter writes President Ulysses S. Grant For Sale

DAVID D. PORTER — CIVIL WAR NAVAL HERO — LETTER SIGNED TO PRESIDENT ULYSSES S. GRANT (1870) Two‑Page Autograph Letter Signed (LS) on Navy Department Letterhead

Offered here is an original two‑page handwritten letter from Vice Admiral David Dixon Porter, one of the most important naval commanders of the Civil War, written directly to President Ulysses S. Grant. The letter is dated May 27, 1870, and is written on official Navy Department stationery.

In the letter, Porter personally advocates on behalf of a family acquaintance, Miss Lydia Ward, and her nephew Alfred Robinson, who had recently been dismissed from the U.S. Army. Porter vouches for Robinson’s character and asks President Grant to consider the “extenuating circumstances” surrounding the case.

Navy DepartmentWashington, May 27, 1870

Mr. President,

I take the liberty of introducing to you a lady friend of mine, Miss Lydia Ward, also her nephew, Alfred Robinson, who had the misfortune to be dismissed lately from the Army. I would not have interested myself in this case had I not deemed that there were some extenuating circumstances which may strike you when explained.

I have known young Robinson from childhood and I never knew of his doing anything to compromise himself and believe now that he had no intention of doing so in this instance.

I have the honor to remain,

Respectfully,David D. PorterVice Adm.

• David D. Porter (1813–1891) was one of the Union Navy’s most celebrated officers, playing key roles at Vicksburg, Fort Fisher, and in the Mississippi River campaigns.

• Ulysses S. Grant, the letter’s recipient, was President at the time and Porter’s close wartime collaborator.

• Letters addressed directly to a sitting President are highly collectible and increasingly scarce.

• The content reveals a personal appeal, offering a glimpse into post‑Civil War military and political networks.

This letter comes with the original descriptive sheet from Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc., a respected dealer and member of the Manuscript Society, PADA, and ABAA.

• Two‑page letter, both pages present

• Strong ink and legible handwriting

• Mounting remnants on the back of page 2

• Professionally repaired tear on page 1 (as noted by the original dealer)

• Overall very fine condition for a 150‑year‑old document

Approx. 7¾" x 10" Written on official Navy Department letterhead.

This is a wonderful example of Reconstruction‑era correspondence between two major figures of American history. Letters from Porter to Grant seldom appear on the market, especially with such personal and character‑based content.