Description:

Monroe James

Free franked envelope signed by then Secretary of State James Monroe (1758-1831) as “Jas Monroe” in upper right corner. Postmarked from Washington, DC on October 23, [1812] and addressed to "The Collector of the Customs, Marblehead, Mastts." Stamped philatelic markings. Docket notation under red wax seal verso indicates that envelope once contained the "Circular in regard of Prizes & Prize Goods". In very good to near fine condition, with expected paper folds and weathering. A few isolated professional repairs. Envelope measures 13.25" x 8.375".

7th U.S. Secretary of State James Monroe signed this free franked envelope in October 1812. The docket description of its original contents suggests that it might have contained a printed copy of an "Act Concerning Letters of Marque, Prizes and Prize Goods" issued on June 26, 1812 (not included in this lot). Circulars of this kind summarized Congressional acts; in this instance, American maritime policies during wartime.

James Monroe is considered one of America's Founding Fathers. This last president of the so-called Virginia Dynasty also ushered the nation into both the nineteenth century and the Era of Good Feelings. Monroe first became involved in revolutionary politics as a teenage orphan when he stormed the Virginia Governor's palace; he was later wounded at the Battle of Trenton. Monroe studied law under then Governor of Virginia Thomas Jefferson. His brilliant political career included stints as Continental Congressional delegate (1783-1786), Virginia Senator (1790-1794), Virginia Governor (1799-1802; 1811), U.S. Minister to France (1794-1796), U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom (1803-1807), U.S. Secretary of State (1811-1817), U.S. Secretary of War (1814-1815), and finally 5th U.S. President (1817-1825.)

Free franking, or the ability to send mail free from postage, was instituted in the late eighteenth century. The privilege has been alternately granted, rescinded, expanded, and restricted over the last two hundred years. Traditionally, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Congressmen as well as former office holders and occasionally their spouses and relatives, held free franking privileges.

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