Lot
745 
[Navy] Naval Accountant and Chief Clerk Free Franks, group of 14 covers including Naval Accountants: four comprising three Thomas Turner and one 1816 Constant Freeman; and Chief Clerks: 1831 John Boyle probably as acting Secretary, 1843 A. Thomas Smith, 1849 handstamped Chief Clerk cover without frank, John Etheridge, 1861 Hobart Berrien, 1864 and 1865 William Faxon, Edgar T. Welles and Holmes E. Offley; some mixed condition, F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $300 - 400.
The Office of the Accountant of the Navy was created by an Act of Congress on July 16th 1798 and lasted until the position was transferred to the Treasury Dept. as the 4th auditor in 1817. The position of Chief Clerk was authorized by the Act creating the Navy Dept. in 1798, but did not have the franking privilege until 1847. Many covers are known with the Chief Clerks free frank as acting Secretary.
Realized: $375