Mailing envelope, 5.25 x 2.75, addressed in Lincoln’s hand to “Ambrose W. Thompson, 34 Pine Street, New York,” and franked in the upper right corner “A. Lincoln.” Postmark is dated Washington, April 4, 1862. Nicely matted and framed with a portrait of Lincoln and a presentation plaque, to an overall size of 19.5 x 15.5. In fine condition, with two small tears to top edge, one touching the “L” in Lincoln’s surname. Thompson was a Philadelphian who had grown rich in coastal shipping, provided the new president with what seemed to be a good opportunity. Thompson had obtained control of several hundred thousand acres in the Chiriqui region of what is now Panama, and had formed the "Chiriqui Improvement Company." He proposed transporting liberated blacks from the United States to the Central American region, where they would mine the coal that was supposedly there in abundance. This coal would be sold to the US Navy, with the resulting profits used to sustain the black colony, including development of plantations of cotton, sugar, coffee, and rice. The Chiriqui project would also help to extend US commercial dominance over tropical America. Negotiations to realize the plan began in May 1861, and on August 8, Thompson made a formal proposal to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells to deliver coal from Chiriqui at one-half the price the government was then paying. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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