Lot 159

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Description:

C. Vanderbilt Signed Nicaraguan Contract 1 Year After Filibuster War

A handwritten contract on a lined legal pad, with an agreement between the Republic of Nicaragua and Cornelius Vanderbilt for transportation across the Isthmus of Nicaragua. Signed at the conclusion, "C. Vanderbilt." With an introductory paragraph, followed by eighteen agreed-upon articles. Witnessed by his son-in-law D.B. Allen and Toré Rova Perez. With a signed and sealed statement by Notary Public Charles A. Kapaldo on the final page. 21pp, measuring 8" x 13", New York, dated November 6, 1858. The contract has flattened folds and wear. Light toning and soiling throughout. Large and bold signature by Vanderbilt.

In part:

"This contract Between The Republic of Nicaragua of the first part; and Cornelius Vanderbilt a citizen of the United States of America of the second part…That the party of the first part has agreed to grant and does hereby grant to the party of the second part; the right of transporting passengers, mails, freight, and treasure across the Isthmus of Nicaragua…in exchange for, and in consideration of the obligation hereby assumed by the party of the second part; that there shall be…established and put in active operation a line of communication by Steam Ships, River Steamers, and Land Carriages between the Port of New York o other Port in the Atlantic States, and the State of California by way of the said Isthmus of Nicaragua…"

Following the Mexican War, Nicaragua became a target for American expansion. Interest in the California Gold Rush and the desire for a viable route across the Central American Isthmus contributed to the attraction Nicaragua had for American development. The first efforts to establish a transit route through Nicaragua were made by Cornelius Vanderbilt who signed a treaty with the Nicaraguan government in 1849 calling for both the establishment of a land crossing and the construction of a canal. Vanderbilt later reorganized the endeavor into three separate companies: the Vanderbilt Steamship Line to carry passengers from American ports to those in Nicaragua, the Accessory Transit Company to transport passengers across the Isthmus, and the American Atlantic and Pacific Ship Canal Company to build the canal. Vanderbilt's contract with the Nicaraguan government gave him exclusive rights to construct a Nicaragua Canal until 1861.

However, in 1855, an American mercenary, William Walker, invaded Nicaragua with a small private army and seized control in 1856. Walker, aware that Vanderbilt had been cheating the Nicaraguan Government out of Transit royalties, transferred the ATC contract to Vanderbilt's rivals, Charles Morgan and Cornelius Garrison. In turn, Vanderbilt responded by paying Costa Rica to go to war with Walker, who was ultimately ousted the following year. The new Nicaraguan government made a brand new treaty with the United States, but this enraged Vanderbilt, who believed that he had exclusive rights to canal construction. To ensure that the ATC regained control of the canal, Vanderbilt sent his son-in-law, D. B. Allen to Nicaragua to petition the new government. Vanderbilt won back his ATC rights, but he never again used the Nicaraguan Transit. The devastation and instability caused by the war, as well as the opening of a railroad across Panama, adversely affected the country's route, and the entire effort was subsequently abandoned in April 1868.

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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November 2, 2022 11:00 AM EDT
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