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Abraham Lincoln War Dated Pass Entirely in His Hand Signed ...
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Description
Lincoln issues a pass to travel to Savannah to H.P. Livingston, who had proposed a plan to takeover newspapers in the South two months earlier
Abraham Lincoln War Dated Pass Entirely in His Hand Signed
"A. Lincoln." Small sheet, 3 ¼ x 2 inches; no place;
January 20, 1865. In full: "Allow the bearer, H. P. Livingston
to pass from any Northern port to Savannah, Ga. then report to the
U.S. Military Commandant."Livingston had written to President Lincoln on November 14, 1864 with a proposal for the government to take over the newspapers in the South as a means to strengthen Union sentiment, instill dissatisfaction in the general populace and demoralize their troops. He writes (including his original misspellings), "Their are now but (36) newspapers printed in the Confederacy, they are poor few of them makeing, money. / I would Sugest that the Controle of many and nearley all of them may be had by purchase of the Controleing interest. The amount of funds required would be Small in Comparison to the advantages, that would result to our Cause from the Control of the Southern, Press. / Their are in the South a large number of inteligent Union men who are able writers, and would hail with joy an opertunity to assist in puting down the rebellion. Such men as the Hon James L Seward, Hon Judge Love of Ga & Holden of North Carolina."
Lincoln gave Livingston's ideas such consideration that he sent the letter on to Secretary of State William H. Seward for his thoughts on the matter: "What says the Sec. of State to within? A. Lincoln." To which Seward replied: "It seems to me very judicious and wise. But I have no adequate fund Will the President intrust the plan to Sec War. I do not know that he has the funds necessary and of course he must judge of the propriety of the application if he has - If not T[hurlow] W[eed] might find money by contribution. WHS."
It is likely that this pass was issued to Livingston to investigate the potential of enacting his proposal. Livingston's letter is in the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. They note that "nothing more is known of the scheme described here."
Matted and framed with a plaque containing a transcription and a photograph of Lincoln to an overall size of 27 ¼ x 22 ¼ inches. The transcription incorrectly lists Livingston's initials as U.P., but the pass is listed in Basler and correctly reads Lincoln's writing as H.P. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity issued by PSA/DNA.
Condition: Likely washed and restored to decrease appearance of dampstaining, which has lightened the ink. Thumbsoiling over first word. Not examined out of the frame.
Auction Info
2024 April 5 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6285 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
5th
Friday
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