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Auction: 284 - Bond, Share & Americana Mailbid & Internet Exclusive
Lot: 1266

Quasi-War: Spoliations Group An excellent group of letters, documents, and ephemera concerning financial claims against France for its attacks on US commercial shipping at the turn of the 19th century. Includes an ALS by wealthy Boston merchant "P.C. Brooks," 5 full pages, 4to, Boston, 1/6/1833, to US Senator (and future Secretary of State) Daniel Webster in Washington. He explains that "...You should be requested to take the agency of the claims on our government for French captures prior to Sep. 30, 1800...I need hardly say, my dear Sir, that I heartily unite in the wish to have your agency...In July 1823, there was an agreement made here with Mr. [James H.] Causten..." whom the claimants had contracted "to get a law passed..." that would lead to the settlement of their claims. Brooks assures Sen. Webster that "It will be letting the government off very easily to pay five millions only. The claims amount to three times that - to say nothing of 32 years interest..." He goes on to discuss matters of local interest, noting in a postscript about the Nullification Crisis then underway that "We have more fear of the death of the Tarif [sic] than we have of bloodshed in Carolina..." Fine. With an interesting DS by US Consul-general in Paris "Fulwar Skipwith," "Henry Preble," and "William Russell," 2pp, legal folio, [Paris?], 6/8/1795. The three agree to "dissolve the Commercial Connection lately formed by them for supporting Imports & other Traffic in France..." It seems that Skipwith is in debt to the other two and they arrange letters of credit. With an interesting Autograph Docket Signed on verso, "To be entered into evidence / N. Biddle" by Nicholas Biddle, who managed an audit of US accounts in France as part of the Louisiana Purchase, and who would become a director of the Second Bank of the United States. With three AL, two Signed "J.H.P." by John Henry Purviance, secretary of James Monroe, 1-1/2 to 3pp, 4to [2] and legal folio, Baltimore [2] and New York, 1801-9. All are to Fulwar Skipwith in London [2] and Paris, with great political content, written in a tiny, neat hand. In the first, he explains that he visited Washington but "I was so unlucky as not to find there either of your friends, the president [Thomas Jefferson] and secretary of state [James Madison]..." After reporting that he has passed along correspondence through Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith, he explains that the mercantile interests have lost patience with France. In the next letter, of February 3, 1809, he reports that in the US the national embargo against French and English commerce "has proved a most unpalatable measure" and there have been widespread violations by American merchants. In the third, from March 4, 1809, Purviance reports that "Congress has just closed its session and the President his magistracy. Two days ago he sanctioned the bill repealing the embargo and establishing a non-intercourse with Eng. & F. Little hopes, however, are entertained that this can have any good effect..." He adds a few days later that the new President Madison ?is elevated in an arduous moment and will be most fortunate if he succeeds in restoring tranquility at home and friendly intercourse abroad..." Indeed, Madison had no such luck, and though matters calmed down with France, tensions with England escalated into the War of 1812. All VG. With a Letter Signed by prominent Philadelphians Richard Willing, John Kearney, James C. Fisher, Kenderton Smith, and Robert Smith, 5/30/1823, introducing "James H. Causten, having devoted his attention to the subject of the application by the Government of the United States, of claims of the American Merchants upon France, for spoliations committed on their property..." With a printed Council of State from the French Empire under Napoleon, 2-1/2pp, 8vo, explaining that the council, "have heard the report of the section of finance concerning...the conduct of M. Skipwith, american consul, and the allegations made by him, against the council general of liquidation..." has concluded that "none of the accusations, made by this agent, is supported by proof, and that the facts which he alleges are evidently false; That the said Skipwith...has made abuse of his powers and his influence..." and that France should cease to have any contact with him. Pen note on first page, foxed, otherwise VG. Also with a Printed Card, 1 page, 16mo, announcing the "Agency at Washington City" of "James H. Causten," who will handle the class action against France. With a tinted 8vo Engraving of the US Department of State building, opposite which Causten had his office. Finally with a Broadside, oblong 4to, announcing "To French Spoliation Claimants! / The undersigned make known...that they are the successors to and custodians of the papers of James H. Causten..." Age-toned, otherwise VG. Estimate US$ 500-750

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