The 30 Minute Rule begins April 15 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By April 15 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
Civil War–dated Department of State circular, signed “William H. Seward,” one page, 7 x 8, May 20, 1861. Printed circular letter to "the diplomatic agents and consuls of the United States abroad," in part: "As there is reason to believe that purchases of articles contraband of war, especially small arms, have been and will continue to be made in foreign countries, for the use of persons in insurrection against this Government, you will, so far as the laws of the country where you are may permit, do all that you can towards preventing such purchases, and the shipment of the articles, either for their destination or to intermediate ports." Double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 20 x 17.5. In fine condition.
Issued just weeks after the outbreak of the Civil War, this circular reflects the Lincoln administration’s urgent efforts to suppress the Confederacy’s ability to procure arms abroad. As Secretary of State, William H. Seward directed American diplomats and consuls to use their influence in foreign ports to prevent the purchase and shipment of contraband weapons, underscoring Union fears that Southern agents would exploit European markets to sustain the rebellion.
The Confederacy ultimately obtained much of its weaponry from Great Britain, which became its primary source of small arms—especially the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket—purchased through private arms dealers and shipped via blockade runners operating out of Nassau, Bermuda, and Havana. Significant numbers of Austrian Lorenz rifles and some French arms were also imported from continental Europe.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$50.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
