Robert Charles Winthrop (May 12, 1809-November 16, 1894) was born in Boston. He was a lawyer, philanthropist and Speaker of the House of Representatives. He studied law with Daniel Webster and was admitted to the bar in 1831. He was elected to Congress as a Whig and re-elected twice. He was later elected again and re-elected several times. Winthrop claimed to support the abolitionists, but he was heartily criticized by them for refusing to take an open stance at changing the institution while in congress. He defended his position in his memoir. John McLean (March 11, 1785 - April 4, 1861) served in Congress, as U.S. Postmaster General and as a justice on the Ohio and U.S. Supreme Courts. He was appointed by Andrew Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. In Dred Scott v. Sanford, his strong dissenting views are believed to have forced the hand of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney into a harsher opinion than he originally planned. McLean responded: To the argument that "colored citizen would not be an agreeable member of society, this is more a matter of taste than law." Offered are three ALSs from Winthrop to McLean and an invitation from Winthrop to McLean to dinner. One page, February 16, 1852, Boston, Winthrop writes, "Allow me to present to you A.B. Alum Esq., a nephew of Barrister Johnston, a late distinguished Attorney General of Nova Scotia, who is about assisting Washington with his wife. "Mrs. Alum has recently become a relative of Mrs. Winthrop & has established himself as a Massachusetts lawyer. He desires to know the distinguished men of our Country & would not be content to leave Washington without seeing you." Second letter: No date. One page. "Mr. Lyele, the well known British Geologist, with his wife, are here for 24 hours & are coming to take coffee at our mess without a particle of ceremony this evening at 8 o'clock. If it would be agreeable to you to happen in upon them, it would give us all gret pleasure to see you." Third letter: Boston, April 20, 1858, one page: "My valued friend & relative, Mr. Horace Gray is about assisting Washington for the first time. [Gray would later be appointed by President Chester Arthur to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1881.] "He is an accomplished member of our Bar & the Reporter of our (Massachusetts) Supreme Court [an extremely prestigious position]. "I pray leave to present him to you." Partly printed invitation from Winthrop inviting McClean to dinner. Generally very good condition. Some light soiling, foxing and a few chips.Condition Report: See description.

See description.