Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 17 x 11, October 21, 1861. President Lincoln appoints Daniel Lamb as "an Agent under the Act entitled 'An act making an appropriation to pay the expenses of transporting and delivering Arms and Munitions of War to the loyal citizens of the State of which the inhabitants now are, or hereafter, may be in rebellion, against the Government of the United States, and to provide for the Expense of organizing them into companies, battalions, regiments, or otherwise, for their own protection against domestic violence, insurrection, invasion, or rebellion,' approved 31 July 1861." Boldly signed at the conclusion by President Lincoln, and countersigned by Secretary of War Simon Cameron. In very good to fine condition, with some light toning, partially-repaired splitting along intersecting folds, and show-through along the edges from old tape on the reverse; Lincoln's bold signature is clean, and unaffected by any flaws.
Daniel Lamb was a major pro-Union figure in Wheeling, and was a leader of West Virginia's split from Virginia at the outset of the Civil War. Northwestern Virginia was largely opposed to the secessionist movement, and its representatives protested loudly at the Virginia Secession Convention in April 1861; only 17 of the 49 delegates from what would become West Virginia voted in favor of the Ordinance of Secession. With the motive of encouraging Union sentiment in this area, President Lincoln sent troops into these counties in May. During the following months a number of important battles took place, involving McClellan, Lee, and Jackson. In late July, Lincoln discussed with Simon Cameron the possibility of furnishing arms to the Union sympathizers in Wheeling, represented by Daniel Lamb. In August, one thousand rifles were ordered to be delivered to Lamb and James W. Paxton. By this document, in October, Lincoln officially named Lamb as an agent for these purposes. Lincoln would sign the West Virginia statehood bill on December 31, 1862, and it would be officially admitted into the Union on June 20, 1863.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$250.00
*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.
