Description:

Gallatin Albert

Albert Gallatin ALS to Joseph O'Brien, 1 of 6 O'Brien Brothers of Machias, Maine who participated in 1st naval battle of Revolutionary War

 

ALS on approximately 3" square paper fragment inscribed overall and signed by Jefferson's Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1761-1849) as "Albert Gallatin". Includes partial red wax seal and stamped "FILE" over Gallatin's handwritten text. In very good condition, with expected toning, a few discolored spots, and paper folds. Laid down on larger 6" x 8.875" scrapbook album page inscribed with the following provenance: "Autograph letter of Albert Gallatin, U.S. Senator, Secretary of the Treasury, under President Jefferson, 1801."

 

"Joseph O'BRIEN

 

To the Collector of Newbury port

 

If the Collector of Newbury-port be satisfied with the correctness of the within attachment, he is authorized to take up the within application & decide upon it on the principles laid down in former instruction, the claim of Cornelius White excepted, which cannot be determined until the President's decision be made … Albert Gallatin".

 

Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin sent this memo to local customs collector Joseph O'Brien (1758-1825) sometime during Gallatin's 13-year term. Modern day Newburyport, Massachusetts is located in the extreme northeastern corner of the state near the New Hampshire border, and would have enjoyed a brisk maritime collections business.

 

Circumstantial evidence suggests that this Joseph O'Brien was the youngest brother of Jeremiah O'Brien (1739-1818), the daring young captain of the sloop Unity. Captain O'Brien, along with all six brothers including Joseph, captured the schooner H.M.S. Margaretta in Machias Bay on June 12, 1775. This event is considered by many to be the first naval battle of the American Revolution. Joseph O'Brien, who was only 16 at the time, had stowed away on the vessel in order to participate in the imminent naval battle.

 

Between 1811-1819, Captain Jeremiah O'Brien became Collector of Customs in Machias, Maine, under the personal appointment of Gallatin, who had visited him in Machias. It would not be unusual, therefore, that younger brother Joseph O'Brien could secure the same appointment in a neighboring town. Joseph O'Brien resided in Newburyport for many years until relocating to Reading, Pennsylvania in the early 1820s with his enormous family. [See 1909 History of Newburyport, Massachusetts, 1764-1909 by John J. Currier and 1902 Life of Captain Jeremiah O'Brien by Rev. Andrew M. Sherman.

 

Abraham Alphonse Albert Gallatin emigrated to the United States from Switzerland in the 1780s. He taught French, commanded a frontier garrison, became an investor of a glassblowing concern, and bartered in mercantile goods, to name just a few of his vocations. Gallatin became involved in Democratic-Republican politics in the late 1790s. His adept understanding of finance propelled him into Jefferson’s cabinet as Secretary of the Treasury between 1801 and 1814. Gallatin then served as U.S. Minister to France during the tumultuous period of the Bourbon Restoration.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

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 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000