A West Point, New York Postmark

Autograph Letter Signed, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”.  As a young, antebellum U.S. Army officer, Smith communicates regarding the conveyance of funds.  Addressed by Smith to a banking company in New Orleans, the integral leaf bears a desirable postmark from West Point, New York, home of the U.S. Military Academy, where Smith was at the time employed as an instructor. 

“West Point, N[ew] Y[ork], Dec[ember] 20^th 1850. 

Messrs. Watts & De Saulles,

Gentlemen,

I received yesterday yours of the 9^th Dec[ember], enclosing “original of J. Corning & Co[mpany]’s check on Corning & Co[mpany] New York,” dated Dec[ember] 9^th No. 27089 in my favor for five hundred dollars, $500.  I will in compliance with your request acknowledge the receipt of the same to M.A. Smith by this days mail.

Very Respectfully Yours,
Gus. W. Smith, 
Capt[ain] U.S. Army.”
_________________________

Heavier staining and wear at the edges, with the expected folds and a few chips at the edges; there is significant wrinkling of paper in the lower corners and edges, all well away from the text of the letter.

Document Signed, 8 ¼” x 10”, an early manuscript Frederick County, Maryland court filing, recommending the admission of a man as an attorney; docketed “15^th February 1811” on the reverse.         

“To the Hon[ora]ble the Judges of Frederick County Court.  The subscribers appointed by the court to report on the application of Mr. Addison White to be admitted as a member of the Bar, do hereby respectfully certify to the court that it is their opinion Mr. White should be admitted to qualify as an attorney of Frederick County Court.  John Harison Thomas.  R.B. Taney.”

Exhibiting the usual folds and light toning, with heavier wear, staining, and chipping at the corners and edges.

Signature, “John M. Thayer, Nebraska,” an enormous example as U.S. Senator on a 4 ½” x 7” album page.

Excellent, with light, even toning.

Signed Card, 2 ¼” x 4”, with rank, “J.F.Wade, Brig[adier] Gen[era]l U.S.A.”

Excellent, with light, even toning.

Signature, “Fitz Henry Warren,” on a 1” x 2 ½” portion of a document as “SECOND ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL.”

Affixed to larger backing.

Signature & Rank, “J.D. Webster, B[rigadier] G[eneral],” on a 1” x 3” slip of lined paper.

Lightly and evenly toned, with old hinge remnants on the reverse.

Signature & Rank, “William D. Whipple, B[re]v[e]t Maj[or] Gen[eral] U.S. Army,” on a 3 ½” x 5 ¾” album page, with the signature and rank of Union Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Walter Burke on the reverse: “J.W. Burke, Col[one]l 10^th Ohio Inf[an]t[r]y & Brevet Brig[adier] Gen[era]l Vol[unteer]s.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with several light creases; chips and pinholes at the formerly bound edge.