Civil War-dated printed circular from the Treasury Department and Salmon P. Chase as the secretary of the treasury, one page, 8.25 x 13.5, dated April 25, 1864, unsigned, which includes a copy of a letter from Assistant Secretary of War Charles A. Dana and an excerpt of a letter by Chief of Ordnance George T. Blach, in response to a query from the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, regarding a precise definition of "munitions of war." Because Collectors of Customs were especially to prohibit the transportation of "munitions of war" to the insurrectionary states of the Confederacy, it was important that they understood all items that fell within that definition.
Dana's letter, April 21, 1864
"In reply to your communication of the 6th instant, asking a precise definition of the term 'munitions of war,' I am instructed by the Secretary of War to transmit to you a copy of a communication addressed by the Chief of Ordnance to Major General H. W. Halleck, Chief of Staff of the Army, upon this subject."
Balch's letter, April 20, 1864
"I have the honor to give a list of the principal articles which constitute such as are used by the Ordnance Department, viz: 'Cannon of all kinds; gun carriages of all kinds; caissons, ammunition carts, battery wagons, and forges; all implements and equipments used in working guns; all projectiles for smooth bore or rifled cannon; all muskets, rifles, carbines, pistols, sabres, swords, lances, and other small arms and appendages for the same; all accoutrements for artillery, cavalry, and infantry; all horse equipments and harness for cavalry and artillery; all ammunition fixed or partially made up; all cartridge bags filled or unfilled; cartridges for all kinds of small arms; fuzes, lead, and lead bullets; rockets and all articles of pyrotechny; percussion caps and primers; powders of all kinds; all machines for hoisting or working artillery.'" In very good to fine condition, with short fold splits, small binding holes, and minor edge loss.
