Raynors HCA 2020-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020
An unusual war-date Confederate Quartermaster Department document, 2pp. 4to., written by a certain "E. Bander, of Richmond, Va., complaining of the Government's refusal to pay for the hire of two slaves in "new currency" after the CSA Congress passed a new currency act in which the Confederate currency depreciated five to one dollars. Bander, writes, Richmond, Va., May 17, 1864, to Confederate army quartermaster department agent, Major Robert Pleasant Archer, in part: "…on the first of Jany. last I hired to the Govt. two negro boys, Tom & William, belonging to my mother-in-law, at the rate of $300 per annum each, board, clothing & medical attendance included…I called at your lodgings…to see you about the payment…but you were not in. I called repeatedly thereafter…I then called again…was told my your servant that you…could not see me now…at Maj. Cole's office…you then told me you had no funds…20th of April I meet you in the street…to my surprise was tendered five dollars notes in payment…I expected to be paid in current funds or the new currency…the understanding of the Govt….being refugees, who have lost our homes …I was very unwilling to lose this heavy depreciation of the currency & [thus I] left the five dollars with your clerk. I respectfully ask, if…the Qr. Ms. Genl. would not authorize you to pay me in the new currency…E. Bander." Several endorsements on the verso include an endorsement forwarded by Confederate army quartermaster department agent, Major Robert Pleasant Archer to Major W. H. Gibbons writing, in part: "…this is not the only case of this sort…is the hire being due 1st April…payable in new currency. Five dollar bill on 1?…". The question is answered when Quartermaster General ALEXANDER ROBERT LAWTON (1818-1896) finally adds, in full: "Richmond, May 20, 1864, Res. returned. Maj. Gibbons. The payment should be made in new currency. A. R. LAWTON, Q. M. GEN." Negligible toning, else VG.
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