Description:

JAMES MADISON
(1751 - 1836) Fourth President of the United States considered the "Father of the Constitution", he authored the Federalist Papers and sponsored the Bill of Rights. A.E on the docket of a good content A.L.S. of BENJAMIN W. CROWNSHIELD as Secretary of the Navy, 1p. 4to. Washington, June 25, 1816 forwarding correspondence on to Madison concerning the U.S.S. Essex, the American frigate captured by the British off Valpariso, Chile in 1814. Crownshield forwards the correspondence [no longer present] "wihtout any comment from me." However in the next paragraph, he proceeds to comment: "Would it be improper to demand of Spain, the restoration of the Frigate Essex, captured within her jurisdiction? If Spain has a right to take from us the Algerian Brig, surely she is bound to restore the Essex." The ship, was no longer in South America but had sailed back to England and was christened the HMS Essex. It served as prison ship in Ireland between 1824 and 1834. In 1837 the ship was sold at auction. On the docket, Madison has written, "B. W. Crownshield June 25 1816" Some marginal wear including tears and minor losses, else very good.

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September 28, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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