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Table of Contents > Historic Autographs > Lot 70 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 70
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $800 - $1,200 |
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Enforcement of the “Quasi-War” Embargo is Ordered by Treasury Secretary Oliver Wolcott Signed Circular Letter |
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OLIVER WOLCOTT JR. (1760-1833). American politician from Connecticut who served as the 2nd United States Secretary of the Treasury (1795-1800) after Alexander Hamilton and the long serving 24th Governor of Connecticut (1817-1827). February 12, 1799-Dated Federal Period, Printed Document Signed, “Oliv(er) Wolcott” as Secretary of the Treasury, Choice Very Fine. A Circular Letter to the Port Revenue Collectors, Naval Officers, and Surveyors of the Customs, Treasury Department, Philadelphia. This important Printed Circular Document is 2 pages, measuring 7.5” x 9” being fresh and clean, well printed and boldly Signed, Oliv(er) Wolcott with his large flourish below, measuring nearly 3.5” long. Docket on the bank final page reads: “John Steeler Comptr. / Dated 12 Feby 1799” well written in rich brown ink. A very attractive document printed in black on fine quality laid period paper, having only some minor tone spots on the final page blank reverse."You will perceive that by the sixth section, an authority is given to admit to entry under certain circumstances, vessels which have arrived in the ports of the United States, from France or her dependencies subsequently to the first of December last-A discrimination between the vessels which sailed pursuant to law, and which were unfortunately or accidentally detained, and those which have evaded or clandestinely violated the act of the last session, is indispensible-To enable me to form such decisions as law and justice may require, you will in every case, in which you may receive notice of a petition, communicate to the District Attorney information on the following points. 1st. When the vessel sailed from the United States. 2d. Where reported to be destined. 3d Whether a permit from the President of the United States, was obtained, in cases where the departure of the vessel was subsequent to the first day of July last. 4th. The names of the owners of the vessel, the quantities and value of the articles composing the cargo, and to whom consigned." Historical Background. Washington's 1793 declaration of neutrality, intended to keep America out of the European war, instead provoked the anger of the French revolutionary government. In response, France began allowing its privateers and navy ships to prey on American ships that traded with Britain and refused to receive a new U.S. minister when he arrived in Paris in December 1796. Meanwhile, the French inflicted terrible losses on American shipping. Secretary of State Timothy Pickering reported to Congress in June 1797 that the French had captured 316 American merchant ships in the previous eleven months. President John Adams' annual message to Congress at the close of 1797 reported on France's refusal to negotiate and spoke of the need "to place our country in a suitable posture of defense." In April 1798, Adams informed Congress of the "XYZ Affair," in which French agents had demanded a large bribe for the restoration of relations with the U.S. The hostilities caused insurance rates on American shipping to increase at least 500 percent, as French marauders cruised the length of the Atlantic seaboard virtually unopposed. The administration had no warships to combat them; the last had been sold off in 1785. The U.S. possessed only a flotilla of revenue cutters and some neglected coastal forts to protect its expanding merchant shipping. Congress responded by authorizing the President to acquire, arm, and man up to twelve vessels of up to twenty-two guns each. The federal government purchased several vessels and converted them into ships of war. On July 7, 1798, Congress rescinded U.S. treaties with France. Two days later, Congress authorized attacks on French vessels. These actions opened what became known as the Quasi-War with France, which nearly escalated into a full-scale conflict. On November 20, 1798, a French warship off of Guadeloupe captured an American schooner. In early 1799, Captain Thomas Trexton of the U.S.S. Constellation retaliated by capturing a French ship, and the U.S. suspended trade with France. During the Quasi-War, the United States lost only one warship, which it later recaptured, while the French lost several warships. The United States, however, had lost as many as 2,000 merchant vessels in the undeclared war. Oliver Wolcott Jr. (1760-1833) was born to a distinguished Connecticut family; his father signed the Declaration of Independence and represented Connecticut at the Continental Congress. The younger Wolcott, a graduate of Yale, served as Comptroller of Accounts for Connecticut in 1788-89 and as Comptroller of the United States from 1791 until 1795. Wolcott was an enthusiastic proponent of Alexander Hamilton's financial policies, and President George Washington appointed him to be the second Secretary of the Treasury (1795-1800) when Hamilton resigned from the cabinet. |
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Lot Number: 70
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $800 - $1,200 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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