Description:

Daniel Webster ALS to Wealthy Salem Merchant Re: Denied Indemnity Claim, Probably from War of 1812

A 2pp autograph letter signed by New England politician Daniel Webster (1782-1852), as "Danl. Webster" near the top of the second page. Written in Washington, D.C. on February 24, 1823, just about one week before Webster resumed his duties as a U.S. Congressman. Written on watermarked bifold paper, the third page blank and the fourth page an integral address leaf also engrossed by Webster. Expected wear and paper flaws including flattened folds, darkened edges, closed tears along the gutter, and scattered loss. The remnants of the red wax seal and philatelic markings can be found on the address leaf. Else very legible and near fine. 7.875" x 9.75." Accompanied by an auction certificate from RR Auction (Amherst, New Hampshire).

Webster was set to rejoin his colleagues in the 18th United States Congress on March 4, 1823 where he would represent Massachusetts's 1st district. This stint from 1823-1827 would be Webster's second and final term in the U.S. House of Representatives, during which time he also served as the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

Webster's correspondent was Dudley Leavitt Pickman (1779-1846), a Salem, Massachusetts merchant and partner in Devereux, Pickman & Silsbee. Pickman's firm dispatched sleek, fast clipper ships to the Far East, especially India, to bring back spices, coffee, indigo, and cotton to eager consumers.

The exact circumstances regarding the captured frigate "Alert" are unclear, but we suspect that Pickman had a vested interest in the ship and that it was probably captured during the War of 1812. It was not uncommon for unresolved indemnity claims to languish in litigation decades after the wartime incidents occurred. Treaties signed by previously belligerent countries in the interim complicated the matter. The intrepid researcher is sure to make many interesting discoveries!

Webster wrote Pickman in full:

"Dear Sir,

I am very sorry to say that ill fortune has attended the case of the 'Alert.' It came on for examination, + was decided today, + the claim not allowed. The difficulty in the case, in the opinion of the Commission, is the want of proof that this case was even made the subject of memorial to our Government; without which it is thought not possible to bring the claims within the Treaty. It does not come within the specific provisions of the first four renunciations, and to bring it within the general renunciation, viz the 5th, it is material to allow that the case had been laid before our Government before the date of the Treaty. The Commissioners do not think this like the class of cases generally denominated 'No 2 cases,' in as much as the capture, here, was by a national ship.

I have stated, now, the substance of all that was said this morning, in deciding the case. If I should learn of any thing further, I will communicate it. In the meantime you will consider whether the supposed defect is curable.

Yours mo. respectfully

Danl. Webster

P.S. Since writing the above, I have examined your letter to the Secretary of State, March 14th, 1821, in which you state, that this frigate, at the time of capture, was 'in private employment -.' If this point could be established, it might help save the case.

For my part, I cannot understand the distinction between the cover of capture by public ships, + that of capture by privateers; + never knew before that the Commis[sioners] intended to act on any such supposed distinctions - I shall of course endeavor to learn further -."

Daniel Webster was one of the most revered politicians, lawyers, writers, and orators of his day. The Dartmouth College graduate represented New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the U.S. Congress before serving as 14th and 19th U.S. Secretary of State under the Harrison, Tyler, and Fillmore administrations. Webster’s influence was secured during the 1830s, when he represented the Northern voice of the so-called “Great Triumvirate”, along with Western mouthpiece and Kentucky senator Henry Clay and Southern spokesman and South Carolina senator John C. Calhoun.

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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