Lot 73 email save

MEMMINGER, CHRISTOPHER G.

73. CHRISTOPHER G. MEMMINGER (1803 - 1888) Confederate Secretary of the Treasury and a drafter of the Constitution of the Confederate States. Very fine content, war date L.S. on Confederate Treasury Department letterhead, 2pp. 4to., Richmond, June 1, 1864 to Comptroller Lewis Cruger concerning payroll for the Confederate diplomatic corps. The letter reads in most part: "...As the accounts of the Foreign Agents and Depositions will soon come before you for adjustment, I beg leave to draw your attention to the allowance which the Department has deemed it proper to make them. Foreign Agents could only be employed at Liverpool, Bermuda, Nassau and Havana for carrying on such business as we require, upon the usual terms of Commissions allowed to Merchants. Such agents are by no means so desirable as are Citizens of our own Country. It has therefore been judged to be more expedient to employ our own Citizens, and to allow them the same Compensation which must be paid the foreigner. It has so happened that at Nassau, Bermuda and Havana the most competent of our Citizens for this service has also been entrusted with other employments, and it was deemed best nevertheless to allow them the usual compensation which would have to be paid to several parties discharging the same duty. Mesrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co. were appointed Depository and Agents at Liverpool, to be allowed the commissions Customary with Bankers and Merchants at Liverpool. Norman S. Walker was appointed Agent & Depositary at Bermuda; Louis Hezliger at Nassau and Charles H. Helm at Havana, each to receive Commissions graduated at the rate allowed to Depositions by our Law, and to be placed in the grade whose maximum would be $2500 per annum. These Commissions are receivable by them in the currency of the place of their Domicile, which in each case is Coin, and this Compensation as agents of the Treasury is independent of any other office or employment..." Letters discussing the Confederate diplomatic corps are quite rare in the marketplace. Usual folds otherwise fine condition. $2,500-3,500

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