The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Walt Whitman to George H. Williams, 1 July 1874
Date: July 1, 1874
Whitman Archive ID: nar.03600
Source: U. S. National Archives and Records Administration. The transcription presented here is derived from Walt Whitman, The Correspondence, ed. Edwin Haviland Miller (New York: New York University Press, 1961–1977), 2:307. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Elizabeth Lorang, Kathryn Kruger, Zachary King, and Eric Conrad
431 Stevens st.
Cor West.
Camden,
N. Jersey,
July 1, '74
Hon. Geo H. Williams, Attorney General.1
Sir:
Yours of June 30, informing me of the necessity of terminating my services in the Solicitor's office, Treasury, is respectfully acknowledged.
I see that the dismissed clerks in the Treasury, &c. are to have two months extra pay, (July & August.) Can this allowance be made to me?
Very respectfully,
Walt Whitman
Notes:
1. On June 30, 1874, Bluford Wilson, Solicitor of the Treasury, informed Williams that "Walt Whitman is the clerk of this class who can be discharged with least detriment to the national service" (National Archives). On June 30, 1874, Williams informed the poet of his dismissal. On July 6, 1874, (copy in the National Archives) Williams replied that Whitman was entitled to two months salary. [back]