The Walt Whitman Archive
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.