Description:

Salmon P. Chase
Washington, D.C., April 25, 1864
Treasury Department Explicitly Defines "Munitions of War"
Printed Doc

[TREASURY DEPARTMENT.] Salmon P. Chase, Circular Letter, Printed Letter Signed in Type, April 25, 1864. 1 p., 8.25" x 13.5". Includes handwritten note in margin, "Recd May 27 1864. / C. Almy, Coll." Pinholes in left margin for binding; some edge tears; very good.

This circular letter includes a letter from Assistant Secretary of War Charles A. Dana and an excerpt of a letter by Chief of Ordnance George T. Blach, in response to a query from the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase regarding a precise definition of "munitions of war." Because Collectors of Customs were especially to prohibit the transportation of "munitions of war" to the insurrectionary states of the Confederacy, it was important that they understood all items that fell within that definition.

Excerpts
Chase letter, April 25, 1864
"The accompanying copy of a letter from the Secretary of War, and of extract from an enclosure transmitted therewith, relative to Munitions of War, is promulgated for the information and government of officers of the Treasury Department."

Dana letter, April 21, 1864
"In reply to your communication of the 6th instant, asking a precise definition of the term ‘munitions of war,' I am instructed by the Secretary of War to transmit to you a copy of a communication addressed by the Chief of Ordnance to Major General H. W. Halleck, Chief of Staff of the Army, upon this subject."

Balch letter, April 20, 1864
"I have the honor to give a list of the principal articles which constitute such as are used by the Ordnance Department, viz:
"Cannon of all kinds; gun carriages of all kinds; caissons, ammunition carts, battery wagons, and forges; all implements and equipments used in working guns; all projectiles for smooth bore or rifled cannon; all muskets, rifles, carbines, pistols, sabres, swords, lances, and other small arms and appendages for the same; all accoutrements for artillery, cavalry, and infantry; all horse equipments and harness for cavalry and artillery; all ammunition fixed or partially made up; all cartridge bags filled or unfilled; cartridges for all kinds of small arms; fuzes, lead, and lead bullets; rockets and all articles of pyrotechny; percussion caps and primers; powders of all kinds; all machines for hoisting or working artillery...."

Salmon P. Chase (1808-1873) was born in New Hampshire and studied law before establishing a law practice in Cincinnati, Ohio. He frequently defended fugitive slaves in court. He left the Whig Party for the Liberty Party in 1841 and helped create the Free Soil Party in 1848. He represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate from 1849 to 1855 and served as Governor of Ohio from 1856 to 1860. Abraham Lincoln appointed Chase as his first Secretary of the Treasury, a position he held from 1861 to mid-1864. In December 1864, Lincoln nominated Chase as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, a position he held until his death.

Charles Almy (1819-1886) was born in Rhode Island and began teaching school at age 17. He later opened a country store but soon moved to Boston, where he became an auction and commission merchant. He participated in the business of whaling in New Bedford, Massachusetts, until the Civil War. He served as Collector of Customs at Fall River, Massachusetts, from 1861 to 1865. He joined the insurance business in 1864 and continued in that work until his death. Originally a Democrat, he became a Free Soiler in 1848 and then a Republican. In 1880, 1881, and 1882, he was the Prohibition Party candidate for governor.

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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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 13.5"
  • Medium: Printed Doc

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