2006-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2006
DAVIS, Jefferson. (1808-1889) President of the Confederate States of America 1861-65, Senator from Mississippi, Secretary of War 1853-57. Davis was captured by officers in the Union Calvary on May 10, 1865 in Irwinville, Georgia. Partly-printed Document Signed, "Jefferson Davis" 1p. quarto, Richmond, Virginia, September 1, 1864, on Secretary of Treasury lettersheet with 'Department of State' crossed out and "Executive Office" written in ink above, it reads "Please cause a WARRANT for the sum of One thousand dollars in gold, payable out of the Appropriation for 'Secret Service' [Act of Feb. 15, 1864] to be issued in favor of Hon. J. P. Benjamin Secretary of State, and charged to him on the books of the Treasury..." Signed by Davis instead of Benjamin because the funds were issued to Benjamin and had to be signed off for by a superior. Missing 2" square portion at top left corner, some toning, else about VG. The Confederate Secret Service was formally authorized by the Congress on February 15, 1864, as independent companies of saboteurs or 'destructionists.' The Secret Service has been implicated in several fascinating plots, including the kidnapping of Abraham Lincoln, the burning of New York in November, 1864, the Hunley, Thomas Courtenay's coal torpedo plan and many others. The State Department Secret Service fell under the command of Judah Benjamin with frequent intervention by President Davis, and many of their actions are unknown as Benjamin burned his papers before he fled Richmond in March, 1865.
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