Item No. 7758221

A scarce and early piece of historical correspondence written and signed by Robert C. Buchanan, then Brevet Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th U.S. Infantry, dated January 24, 1860—just over a year before the outbreak of the Civil War.

Written from Washington, D.C., Buchanan addresses Major General Thomas S. Jesup, the long-serving Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army. In the letter, Buchanan requests that, upon the Secretary of War’s decision regarding his claim for damages related to the infringement of his patent for “portable canvass boats,” he be allowed to retrieve relevant documents from the Quartermaster’s files in order to pursue relief through Congress. He signs with rank at the bottom.

Robert C. Buchanan was a career U.S. Army officer and Union general during the Civil War. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he graduated from West Point in 1830. He served in the Seminole Wars, the Mexican War, and held various post on the frontier in the years before the Civil War. While in command of Fort Humboldt in California in 1853, Buchanan allegedly asked for Captain Ulysses S. Grant’s resignation over the latter’s drinking.

The letter was written on one side of a 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” letter sheet. It is docketed on the reverse, indicating that the papers were “returned to him.” Creased at the original folds. The transcript appears below.

Washington D.C. Jany. 24th 1860

Sir;
I have the honor to request that upon the decision of the Secretary of War on my application for damages for the infringement of my patent for “portable canvass boats” being communicated to you, you will authorize me to withdraw such of my papers in relation to the subject as may be on file in your office, in order that I may use them in my memorial to Congress for relief.
I am, Sir;
Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
Robt. C. Buchanan
Bvt. Lt. Col.  Major 4th Inf.
No. 351 “I” St. bt. 13th & 14th

To
Maj. Genl. Thos. S. Jesup
Qr. Mr. Genl. U.S.A.
Washington D.C.