Sale 35: The Autumn Sale

Lot 2631

Confederacy, DAVIS, JEFFERSON, AS PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. Letter signed, 1 page (264 x 200 mm), datelined "Richmond, 30 April 1863, To the House of Representatives of the Confederate States of America", grommet-stapled to a letter signed by Confederate Secretary of War James A Seddon, 1 page (250 x 202 mm) on C.S.A. War Department letterhead, 28 April 1863, to Jefferson Davis, the verso of Seddon's letter docketed "May 1st, Laid on Table"; short fold separations to Davis letter, some marginal fraying to Seddon letter, Very Fine

BOTH LETTERS IN REFERENCE TO THE IMPRESSMENT OF SLAVES INTO THE SERVICE OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES.

The Davis letters reads in full,

"I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the Secretary of War in response to your Resolution of the 6th inst: in reference to the draft or impressment of slaves into the service of the Confederate States as authorized by Acts of the General assembly of the State of Virginia."

The communication referred to by Davis is attached with a grommet staple Directed to President Davis from Secretary of War James Seddon, it reads:

"In response to a Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 6th inst., calling for certain information respecting the Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia concerning the draft or impressment of slaves for the service of the Confederate States, I have the honor to submit:

1. The Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia that have been communicated to this Department.

2. The letter of the Chief of the Engineer Bureau submitting estimates of the number of slaves required, at different periods, for the fortifications, with the reductions and exemptions subsequently recommended.

3. The letter of the Governor of Virginia transmitting the amendatory Act of March, 1863.

4. The letter of this Department transmitting the estimates of the Chief of the Engineer Bureau to the President."

THE MOVEMENT TO ENLIST AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN THE CAUSE OF THE CONFEDERACY WAS ONE OF THE GREAT IRONIES OF THE SOUTHERN CAUSE.

THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CONFEDERATE DOCUMENTS IN EXISTENCE.
Estimate    $20,000 - 30,000.

Realized: $15,000