U.S. PRESIDENTS 1. James Monroe Privateer Signed Document. War–dated DS as secretary of state, signed “Jas. Monroe,” one page, 7.75 x 7.5, no date but circa 1812. Printed State Department circular issued “by command of the President of the United States of America.” In part: “The public and private armed vessels of the United States are not to interrupt any vessels belonging to citizens of the United States coming from British ports to the United States laden with British merchandize, in consequence of the alledged repeal of the British Orders in Council, but are on the contrary to give aid and assistance to the same; in order that such vessels and their cargoes may be dealt with on their arrival as may be decided by the competent authorities.” In fine condition, with expected document wear, soiling to upper right, and a small hole below the heading. The US Congress declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812, as the result of several diplomatic conflicts, including the British 'Orders in Council,' a series of decrees that restricted American trade with France. At the same time, the British were in the process of repealing the Orders in Council, which was finalized on June 23. Word of the repeal did not reach President James Madison until August 12, but he refused to halt hostilities because he did not know how Britain had reacted to the declaration of war. However, he did issue this instruction in response to the "alledged repeal," ordering naval and privateering ships to assist, rather than obstruct, any American-owned ships bringing British goods back to the United States, and that the cargo is to be dealt with on arrival. A fascinating presidential document from the country’s early days of naval warfare. Min Bid $200, EST: $700 and up
2. Abraham Lincoln Legal Brief. Handwritten endorsement at the bottom of a lightly-lined 7.75 x 6.25 page, “And the pl[ainti]ff doth the like—Pearson & Lincoln p.q.,” dated April 1832. Legal brief regarding the case of Metcalf vs. Bennett in which the defendant, through his attorney Cooper, claims that he is “not guilty of the said supposed several trespasses,” as alleged in Lincoln’s handwritten endorsement at the conclusion. Two horizontal folds, with small old tape repairs to both on reverse, a bit of scattered mild toning and foxing, and a small brush to end portion of text, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a complete typescript from the Lincoln Library in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, This document was originally a part of the Henry E. Luhrs collection. This case was among the very last that Lincoln addressed before being called to arms as a captain in the Illinois Militia. On April 5, 1832, nearly 1,000 Black Hawk Indian warriors and civilians crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois in an attempt to reclaim their land. In defense of the state, the 23-year-old Lincoln, who had recently announced his candidacy for the Illinois House of Representatives, responded to the governor's call for volunteer militia. Luhrs, one of the former owners of this document, was a well-known collector from the 1930s to 1960 who purchased items from the most famed autograph dealers of the day. Min Bid $500, EST: $3,200 and up 3. Andrew Johnson Rare Handwritten Letter. ALS 1page 4to, {Washington},'House Of Res." May 22, 1850. To William M. Lowry in Greenville, Tenn.. Fine condition. A Beleaguered postmaster. In this unpublished letter, Congressman Johnson sheds fresh light on post office politics of the 19th century. While still a senator Johnson was instrumental in winning Lowry appointment as postmaster in the East Tennessee town of Greenville, where Johnson had settled in 1826.Lowry enjoyed his position until the Whigs in 1849 returned to presidential office, meant that his tenure was endangered. By then however Johnson was in the U.S. House to defend the interest of his friend in the Greenville post office. Here is where Johnson writes about his efforts to outwit his Whig enemies:" Since writing
you before Mr. Jno Bell[Whig Leader in Tennessee] at the instance of Wm. D. Williams [a Greenville Whig Merchant and political foe of Johnson] has made a move for your expulsion from office-Warren the 2nd assistant this moment informed me of the fact, and informed me that nothing would be done till the P M Genereal has an interview with me on the subject, which will be this morning-" Johnson confides his strategy in this meeting with the postmaster General Collamer:"I intend to have Bell present if possible-the PMG does not in my opinion to make a removal at all but if they determine to make one hazards, I will try and defeat Vance[David G. Vance, a Greenville innkeeper]-if the thing is done by Bell will be the responsible man..."Johnson plan worked temporally until later when President Fillmore got in office and appointed a new Postmaster General, who wanted to do a clean sweep. Min Bid $200, EST: $ 1,800 and up
4. Rutherford B. Hayes. Vintage ink Signature. exceptionally fine and in the less common form in full on 4"x2" slip.
Min Bid $100, EST: $200 and up
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