Life & Letters

Correspondence

About this Item

Title: Walt Whitman to Teunis G. Bergen, 15 January 1849

Date: January 15, 1849

Whitman Archive ID: bhs.00001

Source: Brooklyn Historical Society. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.

Contributors to digital file: Cristin Noonan, Amanda J. Axley, Marie Ernster, Erel Michaelis, Paige Wilkinson, Kassie Jo Baron, Jeff Hill, and Stephanie Blalock



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Brooklyn,
Jan. 15. '49

T. G. Bergen, Esq:
Dear Sir:

It would be a great obligation to me, if you would present the enclosed bill and start it on its passage, so that I could get my pay as quickly as possible.—For, like most printers, I am horribly in need of cash.—

Do, my dear sir, oblige me, in this matter, if possible.

Yours truly
Walter Whitman


Correspondent:
Teunis G. Bergen (1806–1881) was a Brooklyn official acquainted with Whitman. Bergen was a member of the 241st regiment of the New York State militia, where he achieved the rank of Colonel. Trained as a surveyor, Bergen enjoyed a succesful career in the field before turning to politics. He served on the Kings County Board of Supervisors as the Supervisor of New Utrecht for twenty-three years (1836–1859). In 1864, Bergen was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat. He held this office until 1867.


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