Williams V. Martin to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Williams V. Martin to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Martin,Williams V.
Identifier
WWP20714
Date
1913 May 13
Description
Williams V. Martin writes Woodrow Wilson in regards to his application for position of Minister to Santo Domingo.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Sir:-
This letter will be forwarded to you through my very good friend, Hon. J. H. Covington, Member of Congress from the Fifth Maryland District.
I am an applicant for the position of Minister to the Republic of Santo Domingo, West Indies, where for a number of years I have had many interests, by reason of my marriage to the daughter of one of its greatest lawyers, Hon. M. Gautier, Minister to Paris, Secretary of State for Santo Domingo, etc.
During the past ten years I have lived in New York City, there connected with banking houses and in this field assisting wherever I could the financial interests of Santo Domingo. I am well known to nearly all of the leading men of Santo Domingo, my wife’s people being still prominent, at present the leading element, after a year of much distress because of unfriendly action from some of our own people, I regret to say. It was during this period that I visited the State Department several times, finally securing proper recognition of those who now control the destiny of Santo Domingo. All of which has made me to the Dominicans an Amerian they would welcome as Minister. I have been urged by them to take this step, believe, if selected, my close associations for years would prove of value to my country. My real reason for now applying for the position.
I am a Virginian by birth, my mother’s people, Venable, Watkins, Carrington, founders, in 1776, of the college where our fathers spent many years as professors, yours as a professor of Chemistry, mine as the professor of Greek and Latin. Hampden Sidney College still sends out many boys to Southern homes, made better by its existence.
My father, Charles Martin, LLD, was from New England, where his people for five generations were Harvard bred, one ancestor, the Rev. Solomon Stoddard, a founder of Yale. From both sides have sprung many who in various fields have given to their country service that has been recognized by positions high in the affairs of our nation, two have been Secretairies of State, three were Colonial Governors, Winthrop, Dudley, Bradstreet. I mention all this with grateful heart that such has been the record of my ancestors, I earnestly pray that I may yet by you be placed where I can to my country render valuable service.
Very respectfully,
(signed) Williams Venable Martin.
This letter will be forwarded to you through my very good friend, Hon. J. H. Covington, Member of Congress from the Fifth Maryland District.
I am an applicant for the position of Minister to the Republic of Santo Domingo, West Indies, where for a number of years I have had many interests, by reason of my marriage to the daughter of one of its greatest lawyers, Hon. M. Gautier, Minister to Paris, Secretary of State for Santo Domingo, etc.
During the past ten years I have lived in New York City, there connected with banking houses and in this field assisting wherever I could the financial interests of Santo Domingo. I am well known to nearly all of the leading men of Santo Domingo, my wife’s people being still prominent, at present the leading element, after a year of much distress because of unfriendly action from some of our own people, I regret to say. It was during this period that I visited the State Department several times, finally securing proper recognition of those who now control the destiny of Santo Domingo. All of which has made me to the Dominicans an Amerian they would welcome as Minister. I have been urged by them to take this step, believe, if selected, my close associations for years would prove of value to my country. My real reason for now applying for the position.
I am a Virginian by birth, my mother’s people, Venable, Watkins, Carrington, founders, in 1776, of the college where our fathers spent many years as professors, yours as a professor of Chemistry, mine as the professor of Greek and Latin. Hampden Sidney College still sends out many boys to Southern homes, made better by its existence.
My father, Charles Martin, LLD, was from New England, where his people for five generations were Harvard bred, one ancestor, the Rev. Solomon Stoddard, a founder of Yale. From both sides have sprung many who in various fields have given to their country service that has been recognized by positions high in the affairs of our nation, two have been Secretairies of State, three were Colonial Governors, Winthrop, Dudley, Bradstreet. I mention all this with grateful heart that such has been the record of my ancestors, I earnestly pray that I may yet by you be placed where I can to my country render valuable service.
Very respectfully,
(signed) Williams Venable Martin.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Martin,Williams V., “Williams V. Martin to Woodrow Wilson,” 1913 May 13, WWP20714, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.