The 30 Minute Rule begins July 10 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By July 10 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
Civil War–dated ALS signed “U. S. Grant, Maj. Gen.,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, October 6, 1863. Handwritten letter to "Mr. Montrose," sent from his headquarters at Vicksburg, in part: "The gentlemen with Gen. Stewart, the bearer of this, have all shipped cotton, on the Steamer Empress from Natchez, Miss. in conformity with Gen. Orders No. 57…and were stopped at the mouth of Red River by the Navy. I have written to the Naval Commander at that place, enclosing a copy of the order referred to and presume with this the Empress will be permitted to pass. However for further security I have to request that you issue Treasury passes in addition to the authority already granted." In very good to fine condition, with irregularly trimmed edges, affecting a couple of words in the text.
During the Civil War, few issues of commerce were more troublesome to President Lincoln than the question of Confederate cotton. The 'cash crop' was the bedrock of the Southern economy, and had been the United States' leading export in pre-war years. The Union's naval blockade, instituted by President Lincoln in April 1861, was designed to prevent the export of cotton to Europe and stifle the Confederacy's primary means of fundraising. However, the North still needed cotton for its textile mills, and plantations were overtaken as the Union armies marched further and further south. Confiscation acts passed by Congress allowed for federal seizure of these valuable properties—land, livestock, and cotton were among the chief spoils—and a special body of Treasury agents was appointed to administer these newfound assets. Additionally, businessmen from the North were eager to capitalize on cotton shortages created by the wartime economy. Cotton purchased for 20 cents a pound in New Orleans could be sold for $1.89 per pound in New York City.
Lincoln's leading generals, U. S. Grant and William T. Sherman, advocated for strict federal control over the cotton trade—it was virtually impossible to distinguish between Confederate cotton (subject to confiscation, and the purchase of which might support the rebel cause), and legitimate cotton (grown by planters loyal to the Union). This led to graft, bribery, and corruption among merchants operating between North and South. On September 22, 1863, while in control of Vicksburg—and thus the Mississippi River—Gen. Grant issued 'General Orders No. 57,' clarifying his policies surrounding cotton: 'All actual residents within this Department, well-disposed to the Government of the United States, will hereafter be permitted to bring into any military post or station on the Mississippi River cotton or other Southern products of which they are the bona fide owners…All cotton belonging to the States in rebellion, to the Confederate States, or to persons in arms against the United States, will be seized for the benefit of Government, and disposed of under existing orders.'
The Lincoln administration also prevailed in establishing a permit system by which private agents served as the government's representatives in the purchase of cotton. An Act of Congress passed on July 2, 1864, formalized an arrangement where the US government could better regulate commerce between 'loyal and insurrectionary states, and to provide for the collection of captured and abandoned property and the prevention of frauds in States declared in insurrection.'
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$100.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
