An Original Handwritten Letter and Dried Violet Flowers from American Statesman Thomas Francis Bayard to Lady Maine. Dated 1897. A lovely letter is to Lady Maine discussing their first meeting at Trinty Collage Cambridge in 1897. Mentions that the violets were in the garden where they first met and he ‘plundered’ the them and have sent to you. Flowers in a partial envelope with the handwriting of Lady Maine. Thomas Francis Bayard 1828 – 1898 was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat from Wilmington, Delaware. A Democrat, he served three terms as the United States Senator from Delaware and made three unsuccessful bids for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. In 1885, President Grover Cleveland appointed him Secretary of State. After four years in private life, he returned to the diplomatic arena as Ambassador to Great Britain. Size is 178mm x 114mm. Condition is good. Light folding creases. Mounted on card.