“WE ARE MARCHING ALONG THE PATH OF PEACE… …MUST HAVE YOUR BENEDICTION…” 

ANDREW CARNEGIE (1835-1919). Industrialist; Philanthropist. Shortly after immigrating to the U.S. from Scotland, Carnegie became private secretary to Thomas A. Scott who was just beginning his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Carnegie worked for Scott during the latter’s position as chief of railroad transportation for the Union during the Civil War and, at the end of the conflict, left Scott to build a successful business in the sales of railroad securities, oil brokering and bridge building. In 1873 Carnegie moved into the emerging steel industry, and he and his partners were responsible for making the U.S. steel industry the world leader by the turn of the century. After selling his enterprises to J.P. Morgan’s U.S. Steel in 1901, he spent the remainder of his life traveling and supporting his various philanthropies.

Typed Letter Signed. New York, March 23, 1911. One page. 8” x 11”. On his personal “Andrew Carnegie” letterhead. To Lawyer Joseph H. Choate, (1832-1917) Choate was involved in some of the country’s most publicized legal cases during the latter decades of the nineteenth century. President McKinley named him U.S. ambassador to Great Britain in 1899. Carnegie sends an inspirational letter:

“My dear friend – I hav (sic) yours of March 21st. My secretary tells me that not sending the money was an oversight, which has been remedied. We are marching along the path of peace. It will trouble us to keep pace with the procession. Very Truly Yours, Andrew Carnegie.”