Description:

Clay Henry

Henry Clay ALS Regarding Indemnities Issued to American Shipping Incurred During Spanish American Wars of Independence

 

1p autograph letter fully engrossed by Henry Clay (1777-1852), then serving as U.S. Secretary of State under the John Quincy Adams administration, and signed by him as "H. Clay" at lower right. Written at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. on February 15, 1826, and addressed to the Cashier of the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia. On bifold paper with remnants of red wax seal located on the outermost page. Expected folds including a central vertical fold. Scattered closed tears, else near fine. 7.75" x 9.75".

 

Clay wrote requesting that the Bank of the United States pay a principal of $6,500 (plus interest) to Joseph E. Read and other owners of the schooner Minerva. The payout was in accordance with an international treaty negotiated on March 18, 1825, in which the newly established Republic of Columbia agreed to indemnify American shipping companies for vessels and cargo confiscated during the late Spanish American Wars of Independence.

 

The Minerva, a 140-ton schooner, had been captured off of Santiago, Cuba on June 27, 1820 and dragged west towards the Magdalena River in modern day Columbia. Joseph E. Read and other owners were indeed compensated, and in the exact amount of Clay's request; see Hunter Miller, editor, Vol. 3, Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States (1933), pp. 197-199. (Photocopies appended here.)

 

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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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