Civil War-dated manuscript DS as president, signed "Andrew Johnson," one page, 8.25 x 13.5, April 24, 1865; with cover letter by U. S. Grant, dated July 24, 1865. Just ten days after Lincoln's assassination, President Johnson issues an executive permit, in part: "Whereas, James J. O'Fallon of St. Louis, Missouri, claims to own or control products of the insurrectionary States and to have arrangements whereby they will be able to bring such products within the National Military lines and sell and deliver them to Agents authorized to purchase for the United States…It is ordered that all such products which an authorized Agent of the Government shall have agreed to purchase and the said O'Fallon shall have stipulated to deliver…shall be free from seizure, detention or forfeiture to the United States; and Officers of the Army and Navy and Civil Officers of the Government will observe this order." The formerly attached ALS, signed "U. S. Grant, Lt. Gen.," one page, 8.25 x 13.5, July 24, 1865, reads, in full: "The within Executive permit will be observed by all Military Commanders and every facility given for its execution without hindrance or interference." In overall very good condition, with old clear tape (and associated staining to both), splitting along horizontal folds, and complete separation to the lower half of the Grant letter.
James J. O'Fallon was the son of prominent St. Louis merchant John O'Fallon, one of Missouri's wealthiest citizens. By this executive permit, O'Fallon was authorized to engage in the transportation and sale of Georgia cotton. Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox mere weeks before President Johnson issued this executive permit, which represents the restoration of commercial ties between north and south—though it is ambiguous as to whether O'Fallon acquired his "products of the insurrectionary States" via the marketplace or as the spoils of war. The official conclusion of the war by proclamation would not come for two more weeks, on May 9, 1865. Enhanced immensely by Lt. Gen. Grant's autograph letter as the Army's commander, this is an extraordinary pairing of items from the immediate aftermath of the Civil War.
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