Lot
520 
Detroit [Michigan Territory] August 30th 1816, dateline on four-page folded letter that entered the mails with red manuscript "Detroit 31 Augt" postmark and matching "25" rate to Harrisburg, Penna.; enclosed letter from James Thomas to Jacob Haldeman reads, in part, "…I have been about 24 days to the Island of Mackinac. The troops destined for Green Bay have established themselves at that place and arrangements have been made for supplying them. All matters and things have gone on smoothly this season and something will be made by the contract…"; vertical file fold, minor corner wear, Very Fine and rare early Detroit Territorial letter.Estimate $400 - 600.
Current Opening Bid: $200
Lot
521
Detroit [Michigan Territory] 26 Feby [1820], red manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 50" and additional black "Paid" on four-page folded letter to New York, datelined "Detroit Feby 26 1820" and reads, in part, "…I enclose you a draft for $100. I will thank you to buy for me, on account of the U.S., a first-rate spy glass, a portable thermometer, a small mariner's compass, two good pocket compasses, two nautical almanacs for this year, and a measuring tape. And on my own account, a translation of Father Hennepin and Charlevoix, Volney's Travels, Henry's Travels in Canada, and Mackenzie's recital of explorations respecting the Indians, and any other works calculated to reflect light upon subjects connected with our proposed tour…" signed "Lewis Cass" (then Governor of Michigan Territory), horizontal file fold through manuscript markings, F.-V.F.Estimate $400 - 600.
Lewis Cass was the second Governor of Michigan Territory, serving from Oct 13, 1813 to Aug 1, 1831.
Current Opening Bid: $200
Lot
522
General Kearny Signed Letter from Fort Leavenworth, Mo. Dec 19 [1839], black cds with manuscript "25" rate marking on bluish folded letter datelined "Fort Leavenworth Decr 17th 1839" to Major E. A. Hitchcock, U.S. Army Mobile, Alabama, written and signed by "S.W. Kearny" of mostly army business nature, but which states, "…If the Com. in chief & all the staff could be sent away & officers called to fill their places who know something of the Army & its wants we could get on much better. I have the same opinion of them, in relation to the Army, that Napoleon had of the Bourbons in relation to France, viz that their day has gone by & that they are totally unfitted for their situation We have but little news here. Genl. Arbuckle assisted by the Arkansas people tried hard to get up an alarm against the Cherokees. I marched down with 250 Dragoons, found all quiet but the Genl. & then marched home again. Great men have done the same before me…"; vertical file folds, F.-V.F., an early signed Col. Stephen W. Kearny letter.Estimate $500 - 750.
In 1833, Lieutenant Colonel Kearny was appointed second in command of the newly organized 1st Dragoon Regiment. The U.S. Cavalry eventually grew out of this regiment, which was re-designated the 1st United States Cavalry in 1861, earning Kearny his nickname "father of the United States Cavalry". The regiment was stationed at Fort Leavenworth in present-day Kansas, and Kearny was promoted to the rank of colonel in command of the regiment in 1836. He was also made commander of the Army's Third Military Department, charged with protecting the frontier and preserving peace among the tribes of Native Americans on the Great Plains.
Current Opening Bid: $250
Lot
523
Cant. Leavenworth Mo. July 14 [1829], manuscript postmark with matching "18¾" rate on folded letter to "Mr. J. P. Cabanne, St. Louis, or Mr. P. Chouteau Jr. Agt for A. Fur Company, St. Louis Mo.", datelined "Cant. Leavenworth 11th July 1829" with contents, in part, "…I requested that you would make out and transmit to me at this place, triplicate accounts duly receipted covering and embracing the amount of goods furnished R. P. Beauchamp, Sub. Ind. Agent, for the American Fur Company, in the months of March and April last, at the four Pawnee villages, and delivered by him to the Indians in council at those several places. From the lapse of time since I left there, and the accounts not having reached me, it is presumed the despatch may have escaped your memory…The goods were delivered at four different villages, on different days, to wit: on the 24th of March at the Loup; on the 25th at the Icarza; on the 28th at the Grand Pawnee; and on the 1st of April at the Republican, to the Indians in council…R. DeRussey, Bvt. Maj. U.S. Agt…", couple vertical file folds, F.-V.F., this cover represents one of the earliest known uses from what later became Fort Leavenworth (built 1827)., ex-Baughman and Jarrett.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Early in the year 1827, the War Department ordered Col. Henry Leavenworth to follow the Missouri River until he reached the mouth of the Little Platte River, and established a permanent military cantonment on the east bank of the river. Col. Leavenworth explored the area, and determined that the west side (ultimately the Kansas) side of the river was the best site for the construction of the cantonment. Due to its strategic location on what was to become the Oregon Trail, Fort Leavenworth became a key supply station on the westbound route settlers took on their long journey to California, Oregon and Utah.
Current Opening Bid: $375
Lot
524
Liberty (Missouri) Feby 24th 1849, dateline on four-page letter only (no cover) signed by A.W. Doniphan with great historic contents that read, in part, "…by some unaccountable delay was not received until yesterday-- but the winter has been unusually cold so transportation of the mail difficult. In the compass of a letter I can give you but a synopsis of what you desire. In the first place in going to California I would prefer starting from the town of St. Joseph to any other point. It is sixty miles further up the Missouri River & at least 50 nearer to California than Independence- you also avoid the Kanzas River & its tributaries, always difficult to cross in the spring season. Mules & equipment are there cheaper as Independence is the starting point for Santa Fe and Chihuahua…The best route to California is what is called the old route by the Platte River striking the Platte near Grand Island, up that River across the mountain at the South Pass - thence by Green River the Ruintah? etc to the Gold Region near the American Fork of the Sacramanto. This is the Emigrates Trail properly speaking…A man should have 2 mules, a good long bore rifle and revolver pistol--and provisions for 150 days- - although the trip can be made in half that time…The distance from here to the Gold region about 1800 miles. There will be a large emigration as good companies are forming & will continue to form for mutual aid & assistance in sickness & protection etc…A.W. Doniphan", Very Fine, subject of an article by Dr. Milgram in the Oct. 1993 issue of Western Express.Estimate $500 - 750.
A VERY SCARCE SIGNED LETTER FROM A.W. DONIPHAN IN WHICH HE PROVIDES HIS ADVICE ON GOLD RUSH TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA.
Alexander William Doniphan (July 9, 1808-August 8, 1887) was a 19th-century American attorney, soldier and politician from Missouri who is best known today as the man who prevented the summary execution of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at the close of the 1838 Mormon War in that state. He also achieved renown as a leader of American troops during the Mexican American War, as the author of a legal code that still forms the basis of New Mexico's Bill of Rights, and as a successful defense attorney in the Missouri town of Liberty, Richmond and Independence. Complete images:
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Current Opening Bid: $250