Description:

ROBERT E. LEE
Excellent content war-date A.L.S. "R. E. Lee", 2pp. 8vo., "Hd. Qrs. Army N. Va.",, Oct. 14, 1862, to George W. Randolph, Confederate Secretary of War. Lee discusses a meeting he has had with a man claiming to be an officer of the Royal Navy, who now wishes to fight for the Confederacy. In part: "...Mr. Edenborough the English Naval officer concerning whom I received a letter from the Secretary of State, arrived at my Hd. Qrs. today. In conversation with him, he admitted without hesitation that he belonged to the English East India Navy, and I suppose that his assertion that he was an officer of the Royal Navy was made from a desire to increase his importance. There is nothing for him to do in this army, and my opinion of his honesty is not so much affected by his statement as to his position, as to cause me to detain him. I have accordingly given him a passport to return to Richmond where he may be able to find employment, should nothing be found to attach suspicion to his character..." In short, Edenborough represented himself as a naval officer, while he was in fact an officer in the merchant marine, a position that would greatly diminish his utility to a wartime navy, much less Lee's army. Lee's suggestion that he go to Richmond may have been intended to steer Edenborough towards the new naval school there, giving him a chance to be of use to the Confederacy despite Lee's demurral. Matted and mounted in a carved wooden frame with traces of gilding, along with a full-length portrait of Lee and a transcription of the letter, inscribed on a plaque. Fine.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, 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 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.

May 24, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% 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 + $10,000