Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - November - 2008 Issue
American Historical Autographs from Joe Rubinfine
James Monroe's instructions to privateers.
A few years later would bring much happier times to the White House. Item 42 is a letter dated June 9, 1886, from Frances Cleveland, the new First Lady. She had become First Lady only a week earlier, when Grover Cleveland became the first (and still only) president to marry at the White House. At 21, she was less than half of her husband's age. Mrs. Cleveland writes to a Mrs. H.W. Box of Buffalo with her thanks for what was evidently a wedding gift. This letter is unusual in that Mrs. Cleveland signed it using her nickname, "Frank." $850.
Item 25 is a most unusual form, directed to an unnamed (not filled in) captain of an unnamed vessel, though pre-signed by Secretary of State (later President) James Monroe. It is headed Instructions for the Private Armed Vessels of the United States. This is, in effect, a license for privateers, little more than legalized pirates. It instructs them to respect the rights of neutral nations, and to treat the crews of enemy vessels with justice and humanity. The time was that of the War of 1812, and the United States, having limited naval power, allowed private ships to attack British vessels, their rewards being whatever they could pirate away. $3,000.
You may reach Joe Rubinfine at 321-455-1666 or Joerubinfine@mindspring.com.
