2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Book, "TRIAL OF THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE PRIVATEER SAVANNAH. ON THE CHARGE OF PIRACY, IN THE UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. HON. JUDGES NELSON AND SHIPMAN, PRESIDING." New York. 1862. xxii,385pp. Early 20th-century buckram, gilt leather spine spine labels. Cloth somewhat dust soiled, spine labels slightly chipped. Paper shelf label on spine, institutional blind and ink stamps on titlepage. Light tanning. Rare report on the trial of the prisoners taken from the Confederate privateer Savannah. The schooner Savannah, having been fitted as a privateer, sailed from Charleston on June 2, 1861 for the purpose of intercepting United States commercial ships. On the following day, after capturing the brig Joseph, the Savannah was herself captured by the brig-of-war Perry and her crew taken prisoner. The arduous deliberations of the trail ended in gridlock as the jury could not agree on a verdict. The appendix contains various proclamations by President Lincoln, including one declaring a naval blockade of the South. Jefferson Davis replied that he would hang Union prisoners in response, letter Davis to Lincoln, July 6-8, 1861. In the South, thirteen of the highest-ranking Union prisoners were selected by lot to face hanging if any of the Confederate privateers were hanged. However, the New York jury was unable to reach a verdict and the crisis passed, until the issue resurfaced as the war progressed.
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