Description:

Lincoln & Chase Order the Restoration of an American Once Held Prisoner by Mexico who would Deliver the "Ainsa Meteorite" to Congress. A Unique Pairing with Lincoln-California-Mexico Connection.

1p, 3.25" x 7”, framed beautifully in a gold frame with blue matte to an overall size of 17" x 14", dated April 12, 1862, no place. A fantastic endorsement signed by Abraham Lincoln and Salmon Chase ordering the restoration of J.M. Ainsa to officer of customs in California. Flattened folds, likely from mailing, foxing and a slight tear on the upper left which doesn't affect the striking eye appeal of this historic and unique document boldly signed by Lincoln and Chase. 

The endorsement, which has 51 words written in the hand of Lincoln reads:

"I think that J.M. Ainsa, named within, should be restored to the place from which he was removed, or given some place equally eligible; and I shall be obliged if the officers connected with the customs at San Francisco will do one or the other

A. Lincoln

April 12, 1862" 

Just below the President's pristine endorsement, Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury adds:

"Referred to (M. Farrell?) with request that he will carry out the wishes of the President.

Salmon Chase"

Showing the reach of the Federal Government in 1862 as well as the distance of California from the War, Lincoln restores James M. Ainsa to his position in the California custom house. A year later Ainsa and his brother Jesus would deliver to Congress the Ainsa Meteorite, a 688 kg iron meteorite first discovered at Sierra de la Madera in Sonora. In 1734, Don Juan Bautista Anza intended to move the massive iron to Spain for the King but abandoned his project in Tuscon. In 1863, one of his great-grandsons, Jesus M. Ainsa, managed to move the geologic find to the steps of the California customs house where it was photographed by Carleton Watkins before it was delivered to the Smithsonian. 

In April of 1858, exactly 4 years before this endorsement was written by President Lincoln, a resolution by the Legislature of the State of California was issued "In favor of the interposition of the general government for the release of J.M. Ainsa, an American citizen, held in captivity at Sonora, in Mexico."

The resolution, which can be viewed in the photos, states that "Ainsa, an American citizen, pushing a peaceful occupation on American soil, was, on the night of the tenth or eleventh of April... arrested by an armed band of Mexicans, at the store of Messrs. Belknap & Dunbar in the Gadsden Purchase and conducted thence a prisoner in chains to Hermosillo, and thence to the port of Guyamas, in Sonora, where he has since been detained a captive; and whereas it is the duty of the American government, at all times, and under all circumstances to protect the lives and property of its citizens...hereby authorized to communicate with the President of the United States... requesting that officer to use the power of the general government, so far as he is enabled to effect the release of the said Ainsa."

A very interesting Lincoln-California association item that has an incredible story behind it, and is beautifully displayed with a fantastic engraving of President Lincoln just above a gold plaque showcasing the names of Lincoln and Chase.

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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August 17, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
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University Archives

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