Lot
702 
[War] Col. J.J. Albert, Commanding Officer - Corps of Topographical Engineers. Signature "Topog Services, J. J. Albert" at top right and free franked by "J. A. Eaton" as Secretary of War on 1831 folded letter to Florence Ala., red "City of Washington Jun 12" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
The Topographical Egineers were first recognized by the Act of March 1813. The franking privilege was not conferred upon the head of the Topographical Corps until the Act of July 5th 1838.
Realized: $75
Lot
703
[War] John Armstrong, Secretary of War 1813-14. Free frank "J Armstrong" signature on folded cover to Col. Jacob Kingsbury at Newport R.I., endorsed "War Dept.", partial "Washn. City Apr 13" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $105
Lot
704
[War] Elias Boudinot, Commissary General of Prisoners 1776-79. Restored cover front endorsed from "Elias Boudinot, Com. Genl. of Pris" at lower left and "on the public service" at top right, addressed to Ezekiel Williams, Commissary of Prisoners at Weathersfield Vt., apparently carried privately since no postal markings, Fine and rare, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $300 - 400.
Elias Boudinot was a member of the Committee of Safety in 1775 and Commissary General of Prisoners 1776-79. He served in the Continental Congress as a Delegate from New Jersey in 1778, 1778 and 1782-83, and was President of the Congress in 1782-83. As such, he signed the Treaty of Peace with England that ended the Revolutionary War. Congress resolved on 7 Oct. 1776 that each state should have its own Commissary of Prisoners, but the Commissary General of Prisoners' authority was advisory.
Realized: $250
Lot
705
[War] John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War 1817-25. Bold free frank "J.C. Calhoun" as Sec. of War on 1824 folded cover to Chillicothe Oh., "Washn. City Jul 19" cds, 1824 docketing; letter leaf removed, top edge tear, F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $75
Lot
706
[War] Samuel Dexter, Secretary of War 1800-1801. Free frank "S. Dexter" signature on folded ALS letter addressed to Israel Whelen at Philadelphia Pa., endorsed "War Department", "Wash City Sep" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp, letter in Dexter's hand "War Department 2d Sept. 1800…Be pleased to purchase & deliver to the Keeper of Military Stores at Philadelphia for the use of the Creek Nation of Indians…", Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $125
Lot
707
[War] Gideon Granger, free frank "free Granger pmg." signature on 1803 folded cover to Boston Mass., manuscript "War Department" endorsement, reddish "Washn. City Jul 30" cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp,docketing indicates original letter from Henry Dearborn July 29th 1803, repaired paper loss top center, F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Under the Act of Congress approved March 2nd 1799, the "Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, Secretary of the Navy and the Postmaster General may frank letters or packets on official business, prepared by any other public office, in the absence of the principal." Granger served as Postmaster General from 1801 until 1814 under Jefferson and Madison, and it was the only post he held with the franking privilege.
Realized: $425
Lot
708
[War] Carey A. Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs 1836-38. Double-weight folded ALS 1838 letter with "Charge Off. Ind. Affrs., C.A. Harris" authorization signature and "Express Mail" endorsement to Capt. E. A. Hitchcock at St. Louis Mo., red "Washington D.C. Mar 14" cds and "Paid" handstamp with manuscript "1.50" rating; some fold separation and edge flaws, F.-V.F., a rare Official government use sent by express mail from Washington D.C., ex-David T. Beals, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $400 - 600.
Letters sent by the Eastern Express Mail were required to be prepaid at triple the normal rate, which the free franking privilege did not cover.
Realized: $625
Lot
709
[War] Jacob Kingsbury, District 1 Inspector General 1813-14. Free frank "Jacob Kingsbury, Inspector General" signature on folded cover to Pomfiet Ct., "Newport R.I. Aug 27" cds and bold strike of black "Free" handstamp at left, forwarded to Marietta Oh. with red Sep. 12th cds and with red ms. "25" rating overstruck by red "Free" rating handstamp, F.-V.F., a rare free frank, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $150 - 200.
Under the Act of March 3, 1813, when the army was greatly enlarged in the War of 1812, eight District Inspector Generals were appointed, each being assigned to separate districts of the army.
Realized: $85
Lot
710
[War] Henry Knox, Secretary at War - Continental Congress 1785-89. Free frank "H Knox" signature on 1785 folded cover addressed to Clement Biddle, Philadelphia Pa., straightline "N. York nov: 16" postmark with matching "Free" rating; file fold slightly affects signature, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $600
Lot
711
[War] Henry Knox, 1st Secretary of War 1789-1784. Free frank "H. Knox" signature as 1st Sec. of War on folded letter to Portland Me., endorsed "War Department", Philadelphia "21 DE" Franklin mark with matching "Free" rating handstamp, letter datelined "War Department, December 7th 1793" concerning Supreme Court decision on invalid pensioners and signed "H Knox", some archivally taped separations, F.-V.F., a scarce free frank by the 1st Sec. of War under the Constitution, ex-David T. Beals, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $700