Letter of Application

Bangor, July 26th, 1877

Mr. Senator Hamlin
Washington

Dear Sir: -

Please pardon the liberty I take in addressing you. In verba brevis, I state my object. I am a young man – 22 years of age – by profession a law student prepared to enter the bar. I have endeavored to improve what educational advantages I have had, and think myself possessed of a fair general education.

To particularise, I am somewhat posted in Latin, French, History, Literature, and the Sciences. Whatever of vices I may possess I have succeeded so well in concealing as to deceive the Bangor public into according me a good reputation and character. I might say, if I can unassumingly, that I have been so fortunate as never to have formed any of the vulgar habits.

For my next proposition. Whether or not you have a private secretary I do not know. Whether or not you have any use for one, I am equally ignorant. Despite this want of information, I have the audacity to nominate myself for the position. I will pledge myself to do the utmost for your interests and those of the party you represent. I shall be only too happy to take the position for the smallest compensation – bare expenses – and will say in this connection that a desire to acquire something of a political education is my prime motive in making this application.

This idea is entirely my own, and I have not mentioned it to any of my friends, but should you think this worth your consideration, I might mention a few gentlemen who have known me from childhood, and who would perhaps be able to inform you as to my qualifications: President Allen, State College; Hiram Ruggles, Collector, Internal Revenue; J. B. Foster; E. B. Nealey; Judge Godfrey; F. M. Laughton; G. P. Stetson.

I do not know how absurd this letter may seem to you, nor in how ridiculous a position I am placing myself in writing it; still I am conscious that whatever I accomplish must be through my own efforts, and if I don’t help myself the world won’t stop for a revolution to elevate me.

So, though I feel the humiliation of begging favors, I send you this, tendering, herewith, my apologies.

If I can be of any assistance to you in Washington next session, I shall be pleased to hear from you.

Yours truly,

F. H. Clergue