Description:

THEODORE ROOSEVELT SR
(1831-1878) American businessman, philanthropist, father of President Theodore Roosevelt, one of the founders of the Allotment Commission during the Civil War. Good content, war date A.L.S. on official letterhead, 2pp. 4to., New York, April 23, 1863, to EDWARD CANBY (1817-1873), Union major general who famously defeated the Confederate army trying to invade New Mexico, regarding a revision to procedures for soldier's payment checks. In part: '...I request in addition to the instructions that your state has been already enforced is that the Paymaster should be required to forward the information when received of the top of the check himself...The soldier does not originally know the number of check and after the Paymaster informs him does not know when to stop it...' Scattered ink stains and foxing, else fine. Canby signs two A.E.S.'s on the verso forwarding the letter. Also, another E.S. is signed by Paymaster of the Union Army TIMOTHY P. ANDREWS (1794-1868). Early in the war, Roosevelt Sr. along with two friends designed the 'Allotment System' which allowed soldiers to deduct money from their payroll check to send to their families back home. He then lobbied Congress to adopt its use, won the support of President Lincoln himself, and was appointed allotment commissioner for the state of New York. The system was used throughout the war by the Union and regarded as a great success.

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August 26, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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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