0372---1834 Bunker Hill Monument letter - William Sullivan to Lt Gov Armstrong

0372---1834 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT LETTER - WILLIAM SULLIVAN TO LT GOV ARMSTRONG Original and important historic letter concerning the construction of the Bunker Hill Monument. William Sullivan, one of the VP Officers on the committee, writes to Lt. Gov Samuel Armstrong (also a VP) on May 1, 1834, apologizing for Armstrong's ommision on an important certificate for the "B.H.M." (A second omission is noted as a "third officer.")   While reading, it is easy to recognize the regretful tone and how bad Mr. Sullivan feels about the mistake. The complete letter is transcribed below, as well as several interesting news clippings that appeared in 1833-1834 around the time of this correspondence.  One of the clippings reveals the entire list of Officers, with William Sullivan and Lt Governor Armstrong both listed as Vice Presidents. The letter is two-sided, stampless, to be hand delivered to the Lt. Governor. Recently purchased from a full time dealer and appraiser of autographs, letters, documents and historic manuscripts and member of the Manuscript Society, the Professional Autograph Dealers Association, the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, the Appraisers Association of America (Certified in the field of Historic Documents), the Universal Autograph Collectors Club (Registered Dealer #166) and the Ephemera Society.   Vg condition -- slight discoloration - two cut marks which does not interfere with handwriting. Materials and images used in research are for review only, and NOT included with the item for sale in this listing. Boston May 1, 1834 Dear Sir After I saw you today, I discovered that your name is not on the certificate.  Among the painful expectations which I have concerning the B.H.M. (and they are not few) all of them united, are nothing to the sorrow which I feel at this omission.  It is surprising that in the repeated examinations by the Executive Committee + the intended certificate, and in the proof exhibited at a Directors Meeting for acceptance, the omission should not have been discovered.  I have taken unwearied pains with this certificate, have passed hours over it, weighing every word, and in doing all that my humble means allow to make it perfect.  Then to find that I had omitted the third officer's name, and that your own, is a most humbling affliction, especially as I have always endeavoured to manifest in public and in private; the esteem and respect which (page 2) are due to you as an individual and as a public man.  From the first moment of preparing the certificate, my impression was that we had but five presidential officers.  This was one of those unfortunate blunders, for which there is neither apology nor excuse; and for which no one is to blame but myself.   I know not, as yet, what the remedy must be, as the blunder has been repeated five hundred times, but I must find a remedy.   My only purpose now is to express my affliction, believing, that you are more disposed to sympathize with me, than to upbraid me. Your truly respectful friend, Wm. Sullivan To His Honor Lieut. Gov Armstrong * * * * * * * * * *