Description:

GIDEON WELLES SEEKS TO INTERCEPT ARMS HEADED FOR NEW ORLEANS
A most important pair of war-date documents from Secretary of the Navy GIDEON WELLES (1802-1878) sent to WILLIAM W. MCKEAN (1800-1865), Union admiral, grandson of Signer Thomas McKean. He rose to the rank of flag officer in command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron in early 1862 and later the East Gulf Blockading Squadron. The documents are official retained copies, secretarially signed and produced in triplicate, with all three of the originals likely sent to McKean at the same time. Only three weeks after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Welles urgently reacts to secret information that a huge shipment of arms for four seceded southern states is in transit, and immediately places McKean in charge of a blockading squadron to intercept the incoming vessels. The first copy is a letter from 'S. Draper' (probably SIMEON DRAPER, a well-connected merchant and politician in New York City) to Secretary of State WILLIAM H. SEWARD, 1p. legal folio, New York, May 3, 1861. Draper warns: '...The blockading squadron should know that, from positive information, we learn that a heavy shipment of arms is now expected at the ports of Mobile and New Orleans from Belgium, ordered on behalf of the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisian, and Georgia. They are not yet received, but are hourly expected, and anxiously waited for...There are fifty thousand stand in the contract alluded to. This information is positive and unequivocal...'. Clearly mortified, Welles reacted forcefully, writing to McKean the next day (again secretarially signed) a 6pp. legal folio letter, 'Navy Department, May 4, 1861. McKean, on the USS Niagara, is sent the copy of Draper's letter to Seward, who notes the letter as: 'containing information so important that I deem it necessary to order the Niagara at once to the Gulf. It is, moreover, as essential that an immediate and actual blockade on New Orleans and Mobile should take place as of Charleston...'. He continues: '...take measures for instituting and carrying into effect a rigid blockade of the Mississippi, and such other ports, especially Mobile...capture the vessels with arms and munitions on board. Herewith you will receive a copy of the President's Proclamation ordering a blockade...allowing no vessel to obtain ingress...Neutrals will be allowed fifteen days to depart...'. Welles then lists the names of eight vessels at Key West and Pensacola, presumably putting them at McKean's disposal. Small mouse nibble at the folds, else very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

August 15, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000