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Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed...
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$20,000.00
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Description
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed "A. Lincoln." One page of a bifolium, 5" x 8", Washington, D.C.; May 7, 1861. Writing from the Executive Mansion to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Lincoln addresses how to proceed with resignations for those who wish to withdraw their resignation applications. The letter reads in full:"Lieut McLaughlin, of the Navy calls upon me saying he tendered you his resignation, which has not yet been accepted, and which he now wishes to withdraw, and that you refer him to me. I can not take the lead in the case. You know the circumstances, where I do not; and if you think fit to allow him to withdraw the resignation, I make no objection; but I can not take the lead. Yours truly, A. Lincoln." On verso has been written in pencil in an unknown hand, "The Presdt permitted one or two to withdraw their requests. I would not, but he could overrule, as case need be [illegible]."
As the Civil War began, many naval officers who lived in the South or were sympathetic to the southern cause felt compelled to tender their resignation. If resignations were accepted, it was the equivalent of an honorable discharge from the service. Resignations that were not accepted were treated as dismissals, which were more severe and meant that defectors would carry that mark on their naval records. In the case above, Gideon Welles did not allow Augustus McLaughlin to withdraw his application, and he accepted his resignation. McLaughlin later joined the Confederate Navy and would go on to help supervise the construction of ironclad ships for the South during the Civil War.
Condition: Flattened mail folds. Light soiling at the folds on verso. Boldly signed by Lincoln.
Auction Info
2020 April 22 Historical Manuscripts Signature Auction - Dallas #6223 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2020
22nd
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 24
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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