WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN (1860-1925). Politician; Lawyer. Bryan was the Democratic Presidential candidate three times, in 1896, at the age of 36, 1900, and 1908. He was instrumental in helping Wilson win the Presidency, and served as Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson's cabinet. Late in life, he testified at the famous Scopes monkey trial in favor of creationism. ALS. 5 ½” x 8 ¾”. 6 pages. In pencil. “En route, Feb. 10. My Dear Mr. Berger;” “I have been thinking over the matter of investment & write you the conclusions. I don’t see how that Santa Fe land can become very valuable – except that close to the city – unless water can be put upon it. It might be worth while to buy a quarter section as near as possible to town. 160 acres at 3 would be 480 – not a very large sum and it would probably increase in value as the city grows. You can set apart one quarter section for me if you decide to buy. The land farther out will only be valuable when you put water upon it and as you are taking all the chance and going to all the expense it is only fair that you have whatever profit comes from it. I think form appearances that you are likely to develop a large amount of water as you go down. I wish you would let me know the result. If you are able to bring water down to a point near the railroad you will have no trouble building a town there but it would not be fair for me to share the increase in value without sharing the cost of looking for water and I do not care to risk money in developing. While I would be glad to join with you in buying a small tract to irrigate. You will buy more thatn can possibly be irrigated & deserve whatever advance the water will bring. I think it is worthwhile to buy 40 acres near Tucson or at least 20 - to hold until we have completed our experiment at Mission. I think we are going to be satisfied with Mission. Still we may decide that it is better to be near the ( ) & that last place we looked at is a beautiful site. With the mountains rising on every side and the city in sight – what a view it presents! I can not spare the money for several months but can borrow if necessary. If it can be bought below $40 per acre we might buy 80 together or if it costs more than 40 we might buy 40 together with privilege to whichever one builds to buy the other 20. 40 would be enough to build on. I will trust your judgement if you have to act immediately. If they give you time, shall be pleased to hear from you. Yours truly, W. J. Bryan. Bryan signs vertically in the left margin at the conclusion of the letter. A nice look into his personal investment business. Light paperclip rust residue. Fine.

WILLIAM L. MARCY (1786-1857). Marcy served as New York’s Governor, Senator and Polk’s Secretary of War during the Mexican War. His greatest contribution was a Pierce’s Secretary of State, in which capacity he negotiated 24 treaties. Autograph Letter Signed, “W.L. Macy.” Two pages, 4 ½” x 7”. Washington. August 14, 1855. Accompanied by original envelope Free Franked, “W.L. Marcy.” With red postal and FREE stamps. Accepting the resignation of Calvin Ames, “Messenger of the State Department,” Marcy writes, in part: “I sincerely regret that our official connection which has been so agreeably pleasant to me is so soon to end. I think your determination to go into other employment is wise in regard to your future success in life; but for this consideration I should regret for you to remain in a situation the dictum of which you have fulfilled in a manner so entirely acceptable to me. Your resignation is accepted to take effect after the 3rd instant…” Fine.

WILLIAM MASON (1808 - 1883). Inventor, manufacturer. Mason patented the self- acting mule for spinning cotton in 1840. In 1842-83, he expanded his firm’s operations to include locomotive manufacturing. 5" x 7 1/2". 4 pp. Beautiful engraved letter head from the Wm. Mason & Co. Taunton, Mass. Builders of all classes of Wood and Coal Locomotives. Engraved vignette of a Steam Locomotive. Signed Note. Dated Baltimore May 7, 1856, To David L. Brown Esq., Philadelphia Pa: “Dear Sir, I shall not be able to meet you on Thursday as I promised but will be at your place Friday morning. Yours very truly WID. Mason.” Fine.

WILLIAM M. MEREDITH (1799-1873) American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury. Autograph Letter Signed, ""W.M. Meredith."" One page, 4 1/2"" x 7"". No place. March 18, 1852 [?]. Meredith writes to JOHN EDGAR THOMSON (1808-1874) American civil engineer, railroad executive and industrialist, in part: ""Mr. Solomon Meredith who will have the pleasure of handing you this, is a gentleman of character, & at present U.S. Marshal for Indiana. He is interested in the Indiana Central R Road .. which he thinks will be an important feeder to the Penn R. Rd. ..."" A fine association of two leading Pennsylvanians with a nice reference to the Pennsylvania Railroad, of which Thomson served as president. Very fine.

William Pitkin, Jr. (1725 – 1789). Manufacturer, jurist and politician. Pitkin’s powder mill supplied Connecticut during the American Revolution. He was an officer in the third militia company of Connecticut and served as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Superior Court. ADS. 1 pgae. 7 ½” x 4 ¾”. New Haven, Oct. 19, 1768. To Joseph Talcott, Esqr., Treasurer of the Colony of Connecticut. “Sir, please to pay out of the public Treasury the sum of nine pounds one shilling and eight pence lawfull money to the select men of Guilford for Sundries Expended for Nursing, Cloathing and Transporting one John Breckerson a Transient person which account was allowed by the Govr. And council.” Wm. Pitkin, Junr. Clerk of ye Council” Fine.

William Pitkin, Jr. (1725 – 1789). Manufacturer, jurist and politician. Pitkin’s powder mill supplied Connecticut during the American Revolution. He was an officer in the third militia company of Connecticut and served as Chief Justice of the Connecticut Superior Court. ADS. 1 page. 8” x 3 ¼”. Hartford, Oct. 29, 1766. “To Joseph Talcott, Esqr. Treasurer of the Colony of Connecticut. “Pay out of the publick Treasury to Doctr. John Wood, Junr. Of Danbury the sum of tenn shillings and eleven pence lawfull money for sundries administered to one David Coynden a Transient person which account was allowed by the Honble. Governor and Council. Wm. Pitkin Junr., Clerk of the Council” Fine.

WILLIAM SHUBRICK (1790 - 1874). Rear Admiral. Served in the United States Navy from 1806 - 1861. Received a congressional medal for his service on the U. S. S. Constitution. Signature cut from a document. 5” x 2 1/2”. “Wm. Bradford Shubrick, Commandant” Excellent

William Somerset Maugham (1874 – 1965). English playwright, novelist and short story writer. TLS. 1 page. On imprinted Villa Mauresque 5 1’4” x 7 ½”. April 29, 1957. “Dear Mr. Baker; Thank you for your nice letter. Here is the autograph you ask for, also the only photograph I have here – it was taken on my eightieth birthday. W. Somerset Maugham”. The photograph is not present. In Excellent condition.

WILLIAM SOWDEN SIMS (1858-1936) Admiral. Sims was president of the Navel War College assuming command of the American Naval Forces in the European theatre during World War I Lieutenant, DS 1p measures 8” x 10”. Unites States Legation Naval Attaché. April 24, 1897. List of confidential publications from Raymond Rodgers. Excellent.