Lot 241

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Welles Gideon

Gideon Welles signed letter,  "Prize money for captures ... is now due your late husband"

 

Bi-fold Letter signed, with Navy Department letterhead, 7.75" x 10". Dated "Washington 27th Sept 1865". Signed by Gideon Welles as "G Welles". Written to first page, balance of pages blank, with small note to last page. Page toned, with expected folds and a few edge nicks to last page.

 

An interesting letter penned after the conclusion of the civil war. Addressed to Mrs. Mckean regarding her late husband. In part:

 

" .. Prize money for captures made by the gulf squadron  while under his command is now due your late husband. More will probably become due when the case now in court shall be adjudicated …"

 

Prize money was offered by the Union Navy under the following terms:

A captured vessel was taken to a prize court, and evidence was heard for and against the legality of its seizure; if the vessel was found to be improperly taken (for instance, if it was found to be legally the property of a true neutral party), it would be released back to its owners. If the prize was "condemned" ("found guilty"), then it and its cargo was sold at auction. The proceeds from the sale were divided in two; half went to the Navy, which was used to fund the Naval Asylum/Old Sailor's Home (and possibly similar programs); the other half was paid out to the sailors in on the capture by a rather intricate formula. Some lucky officers and crewmen made some nice money, but most did not.

 

Apparently this Gulf Squadron was one of the fortunate few.


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