Treasury Sec. Chase War-Dated LS to War Sec. Stanton Re: "government stores on unseaworthy boats"

A 1p letter signed by U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase (1808-1873) as "SP Chase" near center right. Dated April 13, 1864 and issued from Washington, D.C. Secretarially inscribed on a partly printed form with "Treasury Department" letterhead. Initialed and docketed in the upper corners. Expected paper folds, with a professionally repaired minor split found along a fold near the right margin. A thin strip of paper reinforces the top margin. Else near fine. 7.5" x 9.125."

Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase dictated the following message to his colleague, U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869): "Referring to my letter to you of the 2d inst., transmitting copies of certain papers relative to the transportation of government stores on unseaworthy boats, I herewith enclose copies of additional papers on the same subject…"

Correspondence exchanged earlier that month between the two men provides us with more information about this disturbing claim. Chase had first informed Stanton of problems in the April 2, 1864 letter cited by him ("my letter to you of the 2d inst.") Evidently, the Surveyor at Louisville, Kentucky reported that government stores were being transported in unseaworthy boats, most likely on the Ohio River. During the Civil War, Kentucky had initially declared itself a neutral border state but then became largely Union after requesting federal protection in 1862.

Chase's three-year stint as Treasury Secretary ended less than three months later, in June 1864, and he was appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court that December. Edwin M. Stanton served as Secretary of War between January 1862 and May 1868.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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