Letter of Introduction

[Cumpston1862]

Ladies & Gents-

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question Mods please redirect it if deemed necessary.

Many of us have heard of a "letter of introduction" being presented in 19th century interactions. Getting to the point is there a 19th century book of etiquette someone can direct me to where the proper form of such a letter could be composed? And does anyone have some period examples of these type of letters they could share to see how people actually wrote them?

Any and all direction is much appreciated. Thank you.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Letter of Introduction

Louis, the book titled Civil War Etiquette has a little info about letters of introduction along with a lot of other useful information. You should be able to find what you are looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Era-Etiquette-Conversation/dp/0914046071/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416755325&sr=8-1&keywords=civil+war+etiquette

[F. J.]

Three Letters of Introduction from the Dime Letter-Writer

Beadle’s Dime Letter-Writer, Revised and Enlarged Edition, published in 1863, has a chapter dedicated to letters of business. The following is a transcription of three relevant letters on page twenty-eight:

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Letter of Introduction.

Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 10th, 1860.

The bearer, Charles Sprague, visits your city for the

purpose of securing a place. He is a young man of excellent
character, and any favor you may show him will be duly
appreciated by him as well as by

Yours truly,

CHARLES L. BRUCE, JR.

To Castle, Howard & Mead,

650 Pearl street, New York.

Another—General Letter.

The bearer, Mr. Edwin Crosby, is a young man who

has been in our employ as agent and collector for two years
past. He has served us faithfully, and we take pleasure in
recommending him to the consideration of any person or
firm to whom he may make application for employ.

M. GARDINER & CO.,

Wholesale Grocers,

60 Front street, Louisville, Ky.

Letter Commending a Partner.

Messrs. HOWARD, JONES & CO.,

Sirs:—

The bearer, Mr. Joseph Seaton,

is my partner in business. He proceeds to New York to
buy goods, and I hope you will sell to him to every advant-
age which you would extend to me. His notes or accept-
ances, given in our firm name, I will honor.

I am, sirs,

Yours, etc.,

JACOB STEARNS,

Of the firm of Stearns & Seaton, Lancaster, Pa.

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[F. J.]

Address of Letters, Directions for Writing, Etc. from Beadle's Dime Book of Etiquette

Beadle’s 1859 Dime Book of Practical Etiquette has a short chapter on letter-writing, with a mention at the end for the forth-coming Letter Writer. Below is a transcription of the pertinent chapter, which begins at the bottom of page twenty-seven.

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ADDRESS OF LETTERS, DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING, ETC.

A letter addressed to a person of eminence should

have a seal on the envelope; for other, letters the or-
dinaryenvelope is sufficient. Letter paper (other
than for business) with designs of any kind is in ques-
tionable taste, as are seals ornamented with flowers
and figures. Perfectly plain paper should be pre-
ferred: it may be embossed with the writer's initials.
On the birth-days of your relations, and on the festi-
val of the New Year, you can hardly dispense with
written congratulations.

In writing to a superior employ paper of full “let-

ter” size; write the name, and in the line underneath
the words, “Dear Sir.” Leave a line between this
word and the first line of your letter. Always write
to the point—using not a superfluous or meaningless
word, and be as brief as possible. Abbreviations are
admissible in notes entered in a book of reference,
but not elsewhere, except in commercial correspond-
ence.

Letters of invitation and circulars should always be

franked; and if the distance be not too great, they
should be sent by hand.

A letter given to a third person, if it be a letter of

introduction, should not be sealed.

In writing to an official, leave a large margin, for

he may need it for marginal notes.

A young man writing to one advanced in years,

should not conclude his letter with the common
phrase, “Receive, sir, the assurance of my regard.”
It should be, “Accept, sir, this expression of the re-
gards of your very humble servant.”

This formula may be employed in writing to an

equal, “Accept, sir, the assurance of my highest es-
teem;” or, “I have the honor to be yours, very truly.”

To a lady, “Accept, madam, the assurance of my

respect;” or, “I am, my dear lady, yours very sin-
cerely.”

It is ill-bred to write on a half-sheet; the shortest

letter requires a whole one

All letters must be pre-paid. And stamps should

always be remitted, where an answer is expected, if
your own affairs are concerned. Never impose post-
age upon a friend: it is a contemptible act to make a
person, after the trouble of writing to you on your
business, pay his own postage.

A few words on epistolary style. Few persons

know how to write a good letter. The epistolary
style, in general, should be very simple; pathos would
be absurd where you have to speak of the common
occurrences of life, the follies of the world, its petty
hatreds and vanities. Be as respectful and as lively
as you can in writing to an old man: old people love
sprightliness. The surest way to please in your cor-
respondence is to acquaint yourself with the charac-
ters of the persons with whom you interchange let-
ters, to avoid touching their foibles, to speak to them
on the subjects they have studied, or of which they
are especially fond. In addressing a lady, imply
your opinion of her taste by seeking her advice on
subjects which require it. Never weary of burning
incense; there is an altar in the heart of woman, and
even of man, always ready to receive its fragrance.
The design of good-breeding is to make you agreeable
to every one; write your letters so that each one
reading them will be pleased and satisfied. Adula-
tion or flattery is very unbecoming, except it is posi-
tively deserved; and then it should be given in terms
which will not compromise good taste and good
judgment.

If there be a phrase happily worded in the letter

addressed to you, ever so little, do not suffer it to fall
to the ground; preserve it, and in your reply, show
that you have appreciated it.

If a correspondent use improper language toward

you, let your reply be polite, even if it is severe;
you will thus inflict a double wound—showing your-
self to be a man of dignity, and know how to pre-
serve your self-respect.

Refrain from addressing extravagant praise to a

man of discernment; he will see that you have some
purpose in what you say, and you will make an
enemy. No praise is extravagant to fools; tell them
that they are gods, and they will set about procuring
an altar; but you would view yourself with contempt
if you were mean enough to praise such.

Avoid the folly of copying, as models letters to

which peculiar circumstances impart brilliancy or
genuine wit; but which, applied from different cases,
are strangely out of place.

If you address one beneath you in education or posi-

tion, do make him feel his inferiority; be polite with-
out familiarity, as politeness is due to every man of
good parts to those beneath him.

If you write an epistle respecting a common occur-

rence in a style of bombast or would-be-eloquence,
you will suggest an application to yourself of the
fable of the mountain which brought forth a mouse.

In all cases, where it is possible, avoid erasures and

crowded lines.

Letters between friends are simply conversation;

from an inferior to a superior they should have a tone
of caution, at once concise and respectful. A letter
of business is expressed in brief and precise terms,
with details arranged in exact order. Letters of con-
gratulation should be distinguished for choice language,
to the exclusion of all expressions parasitical or com-
mon-place. As to the style which a son should em-
ploy in writing to his parents, there is no instructor
but the heart. In every case and circumstance be
truthful and earnest, and you may rest assured
you will impress favorably, and accomplish your pur-
pose a thousandfold better than if you used deceitful
and false expressions.

The DIME LETTER WRITER will embody all that

is necessary to enable the young person, or the no-
vice, to write letters intelligibly, properly, and satis-
factorily. It will contain besides models for hints, a
complete directory to correct composition.

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[Cumpston1862]

Re: Letter of Introduction

Thanks for the links and examples Tyler and Franklin! Just what I was looking for!