Sixth U.S. President - 1825-29

Franked Panel, 3” x 4 ½”, “J.Q. Adams,” as U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts, the front portion of a postal cover, also addressed by Adams to his nephew, “Lieut[ena]n[t] Thomas B. Adams, Fort Brooke, Tampa Bay, Florida,” with stamped free designation and an October 11 [1837], Washington City postmark.

The brother of John Quincy Adams, third son and youngest child of John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Boylston Adams died in 1832. Born in 1809, his son of the same name and the addressee on this panel, was stationed at various posts in the South after graduation from West Point in 1828. Young Lieutenant Adams subsequently saw action in the Second Seminole War, during which he died of disease at Fort Dade, Florida on December 14, 1837, one month after the receipt of this mailing at the outpost, as indicated by vertical docketing at left beneath the postmark. On the panel’s reverse (images are available upon request) are approximately fifteen partial lines from the associated letter, with social content, presumably in the hand of a family member.

Sixth U.S. President - 1825-29

U.S. Congressman John Quincy Adams submits information relating to the loss of a Seminole War troop transport in Tampa Bay, Florida

Autograph Letter Signed, 7 ½” x 9”, to “James Collier Esqr., Cohassett, Mass[achuse]tts,” with excellent early-Florida, Seminole War association.

As Congressman from Massachusetts, the former U.S. President informs Collier that he has submitted a report to Secretary of War Joel Poinsett regarding payment for the services of the schooner Rubicon in the rescue of the transport Charles Wharton, lost while carrying U.S. troops bound for service in the Second Seminole War. Congressional records state: “the ship Charles Wharton was chartered by the United States for the purpose of transporting nearly three hundred volunteer troops, with arms, provisions, baggage, and a quantity of sauer kraut from Philadelphia to Tampa Bay. While on the voyage, and so laden, about the 20^th of December [1837], she grounded on a shoal near the entrance of Tampa Bay, and was found in a very perilous condition…” The same record further indicates that the crew of at least one other vessel, “…at great risk, and with much labor, aided and assisted in saving the troops, the guns, ammunition, and private property of the officers.”

“Washington, 24 Feb[ruar]y 1838. Sir, I have submitted your Letter of the 6^th inst[an]t to the consideration of the Secretary of War, and have received an answer from him enclosing a report from the acting Quartermaster General T[rueman] Cross of the following report: ‘In reply to the Letter of Mr. James Collier referred to me by the War Department a few days since I have the honour to state that this office possesses no information whatever in relation to the loss of the ship Charles Wharton or the services alleged to have been rendered by the Schooner Rubicon. It appears however, by Mr. Colliers own admission, that the Quarter Master at Tampa Bay, paid the Captain of the Rubicon six hundred dollars, which it is a fair presumption was the value of his services.’ The fair presumptions of the Quarter-Master General may doubtless be rebutted by positive testimony. If you have any such, I shall be happy to give any assistance in my power to exhibit the same before the proper department. I am, very respectfully, Sir, your obed[ien]t Serv[an]t, J.Q. Adams.”

Interestingly, Adams’s nephew, Thomas Boylston Adams, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and a Seminole War veteran, had died of disease at Fort Dade, Florida just two months earlier, on December 14, 1837. Also of note, Trueman Cross, the acting quartermaster general mentioned in this letter, was killed on April 21, 1846 by Mexican bandits near Fort Brown, Texas, just three days before the United States declared war with Mexico.

The sheet bears general soiling and wear.  Paper weakness and minor separation at the usual folds, along with several chips and tears in the margins, none affecting the text of the letter, have been professionally stabilized with archival backing on the reverse.

American Actor; Union Captain – 28^th Massachusetts Infantry; Friend of George Armstrong Custer

Large Presentation Signature, on a 4” x 6 ¼” album page, for the son or daughter of a friend in the year before the death of George Armstrong Custer, Barrett’s friend of the past decade, at the Little Big Horn.

“Your Father’s Friend, Lawrence Barrett, March 5^th 1875.”

U.S. Congressman – South Carolina – 1853-57

A Mexican War veteran and two-term Democratic representative from South Carolina, Brooks is most remembered for severely beating abolitionist Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner in the Senate chamber on May 22, 1856, two days after Sumner’s impassioned speech denouncing the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Signature, as antebellum U.S. Congressman from South Carolina, “P.S. Brooks, Ninety Six. So[uth] Carolina,” on a 1 ¾” x 5 ¾” portion of an album page.

Wife of 7^th Cavalry Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer; Author of Numerous Books on Her Husband and the American West

Mrs. Custer Asks for an Application to Join the Daughters of the American Revolution

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 ½ pages, on two separate 5” x 6 ½” sheets. Well into her eighties, Mrs. Custer writes to obtain an application to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“71 Park Avenue, N.Y., August 28 [1927]. Miss Blanche Edwards, My dear Miss Edwards, My cousin Mrs. Bingham has long wanted me to be a Daughter of the American Revolution and has been so good as to make it possible by searching records. I shall be glad to have the blanks for application when it is convenient for you to send them. Thanking you in advance I am very sincerely yours, Elizabeth B. Custer.”

Both sheets have a horizontal fold at the center and heavier toning along the edges. The accompanying transmittal envelope, 3 ½” x 5 ¼”, addressed by Mrs. Custer, to “Miss Blanche Edwards, Abiline, Kansas,” has general soiling and wear, along with a tear at the upper edge, near the August 29, 1927, Grand Central Station, New York postmark.

Union Brigadier General – Pennsylvania; First Mayor of San Francisco, California – 1850-51; Governor of Kansas Territory – 1856-57; Governor of Pennsylvania – 1867-73

A veteran of the Mexican War, Geary began the Civil War as Colonel of the 28^th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was twice wounded at Cedar Mountain, commanded the 2^nd Division of the 12^th Corps at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and subsequently saw action at Chattanooga. After the war, Geary served two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania.

War-Date Signature, with rank, “Jno. W. Geary, Brig. Genl. Com[man]d[in]g,” on a 1 ¼” x 4” slip of paper, removed from a larger document or letter.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few small stains, along with old glue staining on the reverse.

G.A.R Lottery Ticket, 2 ¼” x 5 ¾”, unaccomplished, issued for the Grand Fair of the Phil Kearney Post No. 7, Yankton, Dakota Territory, March, 1887. The lottery prizes are enumerated on the reverse of the ticket, which is accompanied by the transmittal envelope, with the name and address of the fair treasurer pre-printed for return by the prospective purchaser.

In the years following the formation of the G.A.R. in 1866, fundraisers and lotteries were routinely held by the Civil War veterans’ organizations for various purposes. This ticket, however, was undoubtedly to raise money for the new meeting hall for Phil Kearney Post No. 7, built in Yankton, now South Dakota, in 1887.

Document Signed, 8 ½” x 14”, Indian Territory, March 4, 1902, “Green McCurtain,” as Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation, countersigned by “Douglas H. Johnston,” as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, a partly printed land conveyance for a lot in Wynnewood, present-day Oklahoma, to one Frank L. Robinson.

Both Green McCurtain (1848-1910) and Douglas H. Johnston (1856-1939) were born in Indian Territory, their families having been a part of the forced removal of the southern Indians known as the Trail of Tears. McCurtain served as the elected Chief of the Choctaw Nation from 1902 until his death in 1910; Johnston served two terms as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, 1898–1902 and 1904-39.

The document is evenly toned, with paper weakness and separation along portions of the three horizontal folds.

Seventh U.S. President - 1829-37

A Double-Signed Check, as President

Document Signed, 2 ¾” X 7”, as President, Washington, August 24, 1835, “Andrew Jackson,” a partly printed check, also accomplished by Jackson. Drawn on the Bank of the Metropolis for $200, the check is made payable to Jackson’s son, “Andrew Jackson, j[u]n[io]r,” and thus bears a second full signature.

The check is lightly and evenly toned, with several folds and light creases. A cross-cut cancellation at center intersects portions of the upper signature.

Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, a manuscript petition signed by five Democratic U.S. Congressmen from the South: James L. Seward - Georgia; Elijah W. Chastain - Georgia; Alfred H. Colquitt - Georgia; William B.W. Dent - Georgia; Sampson W. Harris – Alabama. Addressing Attorney General Caleb Cushing just two days after the U.S. Senate approved the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the letter recommends the appointment of Edward R. Harden, formerly a Democratic state congressman in Georgia, to a judicial post in the new territories.

During the Civil War, Edward Harden served as Confederate colonel, Elijah Chastain served as lieutenant colonel of the First Georgia Infantry, and Alfred Colquitt rose to the rank of brigadier general in Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.

Condition is excellent, with the expected light toning and folds.

Confederate General & Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

Returning the Remains of a Young Lieutenant Who Died in Texas to His Father in Pennsylvania

“Hon[ora]ble John Dick, Meadville, P[ennsylvani]a. Camp in Clear fork of Brazos, 13 July 1857. Dear Sir, Having seen a statement in the papers that the letters that had reached Indianola from about the 20 to the 30 May had all been lost in the mails shipped aboard the Steamer Louisiana, & as my letter to you of the 6 May should have been at Indianola about that time, I have determined to send to you a Copy, that you might see why your letter of 10 Sept. [18]’56 had been so long unack[nowledge]d, should the original have been lost, & that I had given such attention to your inquiries as I was able. I hope my letter of the 19^th May reached you safely, & that you will have rec[eive]d w[ith] this the remains of your Son, forw[arde]d at that time to the Messrs. Thorps, who were also written to. I made arrangements for their shipment from Indianola, & have heard of their safe passage through San Antonio. With Sentiments of esteem & respect I am very resp[ectfull]y your Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t, R.E. Lee.”

During a forty-day expedition which scouted the headwaters of the Colorado, Brazos, and Wichita rivers, begun in early June, 1856, the four cavalry squadrons in Lee’s command had several encounters with hostile Comanche Indians. The available records indicate that Lieutenant Dick died at Camp Cooper on July 31, 1856 - just eight days after Lee’s return.  It is unknown if he died of wounds received during the expedition, or due to an illness or an injury that occurred at the notoriously harsh Camp Cooper.

The letter is in excellent condition, with slight discoloration along portions of the usual folds and superficial paper breaks at their intersections.

Confederate General & Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

Document Signed, 8” x 10 ½”, as President of Washington College, Lexington Virginia, June 20, 1867, “R.E. Lee,” the partly printed report card for a student, “Mr. Edwin T. Dumble,” in the subjects of Latin, Greek, and Mathematics.

Born in Madison, Indiana in 1852, Edwin Dumble moved to Galveston, Texas with his family as an infant. His education at Washington College was twice interrupted by reversals in his father’s cotton and lumber businesses. He later served as an executive in several oil companies – most notably the Southern Pacific, the Rio Bravo, and the East Coast Oil Companies - and as Texas State Geologist from 1887 to 1897. In 1924, Dumble received a doctorate of science from his early alma mater, now Washington and Lee University, before retiring to Virginia. He died in 1927.

The document is lightly and evenly toned, with a few small stains. There are several tiny holes along the usual folds, none affected the text of the document.

Confederate Major General - Georgia

A West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran, McLaws entered Confederate service as colonel of the 10^th Georgia Infantry, subsequently seeing action on the Peninsula, and at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.

Signature, with closing and the Mexican War-period rank McLaws held from March 16, 1844 until February 16, 1847, “Respectfully, L.M. McLaws, 2^nd Lieut[enant] 7^th Inf[antry],” on a 1” x 3 ¼” slip of paper, removed from a letter; affixed to a larger card.

Closely clipped at the top, with light, even toning.

U.S. Attorney General – 1875-76; Prosecutor in the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy Trial of John Surratt

Letter Signed, on imprinted 8” x 10” stationery as U.S. Attorney General, accepting the resignation of Lemuel D. Evans as U.S. Marshal for the Eastern Judicial District of Texas.

“Washington, Jan[uar]y 22, 1876. L.D. Evans Esq., U.S. Marshal for E[aster]n Tex[as], Washington, D.C. Sir, I have received yours of the 29^th instant, laying before me your resignation of the Marshalship of the Eastern District of Texas, to take effect on the 17^th day of February, 1876, which resignation I hereby accept. Very respectfully, Edw. Pierrepont, Attorney General.”

Born in Tennessee, Lemuel Evans moved to Texas early in life, serving as a member of the state convention that annexed the State of Texas to the Union in 1845. He subsequently served a term in the U.S. Congress, as a member of the Reconstruction Convention of 1868, and as justice on the Texas Supreme Court. Evans died on July 1, 1877 in Washington, D.C.

The letter is pleasantly toned, with the expected horizontal folds and two spindle holes in the upper margin. There is a small tear, with no loss of paper, in the lower left corner, along with minor bleeding of ink to several letters in Pierrepont’s signature.

U.S. Secretary of War – 1837-41; U.S. Minister to Mexico – 1825-29; Namesake of the Poinsettia; U.S. Congressman – South Carolina – 1821-25

A physician and botanist by vocation, Poinsett discovered the flowering plant which came to bear his name while serving as U.S. Minister to Mexico.

Payment of $2250 to the Indian Department Disbursing Agent

Document Signed, 8” x 10”, a manuscript sight draft to the cashier of the Bank of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, directing payment of $2250 for interest on state bonds to the Indian Department Disbursing Agent.

“War Department, February 11, 1841. $2250. At sight pay to the order of D. Kurtz, Disb[ursin]g Agent, Indian Dept., two thousand two hundred & fifty dollars, value received, being the interest on Pennsylvania State Bonds standing in the name of the Secretary of War, for the time being, for the half year ending 31^st January 1841. Very respectfully, Your mo[st] Ob[edien]t S[ervant], J.R. Poinsett.”

The document is lightly and evenly toned, with the expected folds, and there are two punch cancellations, with no loss of paper, near the center vertical fold.

U.S. Major General - Mexican War; Democratic U.S. Representative – Mississippi - 1855-58; Governor of Mississippi – 1835-36 & 1850-51

A Mexican War veteran and ardent antebellum advocate of states' rights, Quitman died in Natchez, Mississippi in 1858, allegedly as a result of consuming poisoned food at the inaugural banquet of James Buchanan.

Signed Envelope, 3" x 5 ½”, “Free, J.A. Quitman, M.C.,” a franking signature as U.S. Congressman from Mississippi, also addressed by Quitman to his son, “F. Henry Quitman, E[squi]r[e], Houma, Terrebonne, Louis[ian]a,” and bearing a Washington, DC postmark.

Light soiling and wear.

Union Major General – Ohio; U.S. Congressman – California – 1881-85

Rosecrans led the Army of the Cumberland at Murfreesboro and through the Tullahoma campaign to Chickamauga, where he was routed by the Confederates under Longstreet, a misadventure which effectively ended his military career. After the war, he settled near Los Angeles, serving as U.S. Congressman from California, 1881 – 1885.

Signed Card, 2” x 3 ½”, with rank, “W.S. Rosecrans, Maj[or] Genl.”

There is general soiling and wear, along with a few pinholes and light creases.

Union Major General – Virginia; U.S. Army Brevet Lieutenant General for Service in the Mexican War

Scott’s Civil War role was limited to the conception of the “Anaconda Plan” for forcing the surrender of the Confederacy. Due to advanced age, he resigned from the army shortly after McClellan’s appointment to command the Army of the Potomac.

Signature, with the brevet rank Scott held from his service in the Mexican War, “Free, Winfield Scott, Lieut[enant] Genl., &c.,” on a 1 ¼” x 4” portion of an envelope front.

Union Major General - Ohio; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Distinguished Bravery at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864

An 1852 West Point graduate, Stanley saw Civil War action in the West from Wilson's Creek through Franklin, where his actions earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. After the war, he served in Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas on the western frontier.

Autograph Quotation Signed, on a 4” x 7” album page.

“Youth is the heyday of life. Enjoy it Dear Josie, whilst we elders applaud. D.S. Stanley, Col[onel] 22^nd Inf[an]t[r]y, B[re]v[e]t Maj[or] Gen[era]l.”

On the reverse is the signature, “G.H. Patten, L[ieutenan]t 22^nd Inf[antry], Santa Fe, Dec[ember] 10, [18]83.”

The sheet is lightly and evenly toned, with a few small stains.

Union Brigadier General – Pennsylvania; Colonel of the 7^th U.S. Cavalry – 1869-88

A West Point graduate and lifelong soldier, Sturgis saw action in the Mexican War and against the Indians on the western frontier during the years leading up to the Civil War. During the Civil War, he participated in the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, and Fredericksburg. Transferred west, Sturgis was routed by Nathan Bedford Forrest at Brice’s Cross Roads, after which he held no field command. In 1869, Sturgis was appointed colonel of the 7^th Cavalry, a position he held at the time of the massacre of Custer and his command at the Little Big Horn.

“…I was what was called a ‘49er, and it was at San Louis Obispo, that in the Spring of 1849, I prepared and fitted out my small Company of Dragoons for an expedition against the Indians in the neighborhood of the Tulare lakes & the head of King’s River.”

Autograph Letter Signed, three pages, on individual sheets of 5 ½” x 8 ½” hotel stationery, imprinted “The Ebbitt: C.C. Willard, Prop., Washington, D.C.” In a humble, gracious response to an autograph request from a young girl in San Luis Obispo, California, Sturgis provides a satisfying reminiscence of his Gold Rush-era military exploits in the region.

“March 10, 1886. Miss Mary C. Day, San Louis Obispo, Cal. My dear Young lady, you very kind and complimentary note only reached me yesterday and I hasten to enclose my Autograph in compliance with your request. You will be surprised perhaps to learn that I was what was called a ‘49er, and it was at San Louis Obispo, that in the Spring of 1849, I prepared and fitted out my small Company of Dragoons for an expedition against the Indians in the neighborhood of the Tulare lakes & the head of King’s River. In those days San Louis Obispo was simply an old Mission, but it is probably now a thriving town. The world has changed so much since those days. Hoping that this will not be so long in reaching you as Yours was in reaching me, and thanking you again for the compliment implied in your request for my Autograph, believe me, Very Sincerely Your o[bedien]t ser[van]t, S.D. Sturgis.”

Light, even toning, the usual folds, and old paper clip stains in the upper margins detract very little.

Confederate Colonel - North Carolina; Commanded Thomas’s Cherokee Legion; White Chief of the Oconaluftee Cherokee

Document Signed, Charleston, South Carolina, June 13, 1838, “Wm. H. Thomas,” a partly printed 3 ¼” x 7” promissory note, payable to James W.Y. Watson for $258.82.

The document has light toning, soiling, and wear, along with the expected folds.

Union Major General – Indiana; Governor of New Mexico Territory – 1878-81

Wallace served in the West at Ft. Donelson and Shiloh, was transferred east with Grant to encounter Jubal Early at Monocacy River in 1864, and was president of the court-martial which tried and condemned Andersonville Commandant Henry Wirz. He served as post-war Governor of the New Mexico Territory and U.S. Minister to Turkey. He is also remembered for writing Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Signed Card, 2 ½” x 4 ¼”, from late in life, “Lew. Wallace, 1901.”

The card is lightly and evenly toned, and there is very slight bleeding of ink in the signature.

Union Major General – Indiana; Governor of New Mexico Territory – 1878-81

Wallace served in the West at Ft. Donelson and Shiloh, was transferred east with Grant to encounter Jubal Early at Monocacy River in 1864, and was president of the court-martial which tried and condemned Andersonville Commandant Henry Wirz. He served as post-war Governor of the New Mexico Territory and U.S. Minister to Turkey. He is also remembered for writing Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Signature, “Lew. Wallace,” on a 2” x 4 ¼” portion of an album page.

American Mormon Leader; First Governor of UtahTerritory – 1850-58

Signed Card, 2” x 3 ¼”, “Brigham Young.”

Accompanied by a second card, signed “Josiah T. Young.”

Both cards bear light, even toning, a few stains, and old mounting traces on the reverse.