{"value"=>"<p>Morton's correspondence is arranged chronologically and consists chiefly of incoming letters. The earliest letters are from his parents, Daniel O. Morton and Lucretia (Parsons) Morton. However, the bulk of the correspondence dates from the years of Morton's political career. Politicians wrote confidentially to Morton, from the 1870s, as he began to play a larger role in New York City and national politics. Thus the correspondence provides context to the political decision making of the Republican party of New York at a time when it held a direct influence on national affairs. Letters include comments on speeches and hints at the motivation behind negotiations missing from the public record.</p> <p>Beginning in 1876, there are notes relative to the announcement of Morton's run for the 11th Congressional District of New York City. Remarkable correspondence relates to Morton's diplomatic position in Paris, including a document of June 1883 featuring the signatures of American citizens in Paris. From 1888 are found letters to Morton from American political and social dignitaries congratulating him on the success of the 1888 presidential campaign. Beginning in June 1888, the series includes typed transcriptions, added to the collection by Prof. Robert McNutt McElroy, and of letters by Morton to Benjamin Harrison held in the Harrison manuscripts collection at the Library of Congress. There are also many congratulatory letters received upon his election as governor of New York in 1894.</p> <p>Of particular note are the letters addressed to Governor Morton concerning the consolidation of New York City. Letters were received from Brooklyn's mayor Frederick Wurster, from St. Clair McKelway, editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, and from Senator Luxow of the New York State legislature; from civic groups such as the Loyal League of Brooklyn and the City Club of New York, and various ranking Republican party members from the city and state including Republican party boss, Thomas C. Platt. The plan for consolidation had been advanced by Andrew H. Green in 1868 to combine the territories of Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island and was endorsed by New York Mayor Abram S. Hewitt in 1888. Republican politicians, in control of the state and city by 1896, saw consolidation as politically advantageous. Despite vetoes by the mayors of New York and Brooklyn, Morton signed consolidation in to effect, making New York the largest and most populous city in the United States.</p> <p>The seven letter books contain Morton's outgoing correspondence from two periods in his career. The two letter books covering the years 1881 and 1884-1885 contain letters regarding confidential business matters exchanged with partner George Bliss. The remaining five letter books, 1895-1896, include official and confidential letters composed by Morton and his private secretary, Gen. Ashley W. Cole, while Governor of New York. Much of the communication is with city and state officials. Issues covered include the Brooklyn Charities Bill, the Raines Bill, the Albany Police Bill and the Greater New York Bill, as well as appointments to and administration of the Forestry Commission, Quarantine Commission, Bronx River Sewer and Highway Commission, the Prison Commission and offices of the coroner and state historian. There is also confidential correspondence addressed to Thomas C. Platt at his office at 49 Broadway, New York City.</p> <p>Morton's social correspondence, filed separately at the end of the series, contains invitations to dinners and the opera which the Mortons received, as well as responses to invitations to parties held at the American legation in Paris. The correspondence, in French, is often addressed to Mrs. Anna Livingston Morton. Other letters to Morton's first and second wives are filed in the family and genealogical papers.</p>"}