J.L. Chamberlain letter on Senate seat, Brunswick, 1869
Item 77784
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Gov. Joshua L. Chamberlain wrote to George F. Shepley of Portland, seeking to meet with him about an appointment to replace Senator William P. Fessenden (1806-1869), who had recently died. Fessenden, who served in the Senate in 1854-1864 and 1865-1869, had been secretary of the U.S. Treasury from 1864-1865. He was a member of the Whig Party. Chamblerlain, a Republican, wanted to talk with Shepley about Fessenden's replacement. Shepley, a Democrat before the Civil War, switched to the Republican party after the war.