397. ISAAC TOUCEY (1792-1869). US Secretary of the Navy (1857-61); US Attorney General (1848-49); governor of Connecticut. He was blamed for the Navy's being unprepared for war, and his states rights convictions did not help suspicions. An 1864 investigation determined that Toucey in fact had submitted a war plan of action to President Buchanan, which he refused to implement. Two ALsS, 2pp, 7¾"x9¾", Washington, DC. As US senator, Dec 10, 1852, Toucey writes regarding "the papers of Miss Elizabeth Hender...together with the accompanying letter from Govr. Seymour, in which I fully concur..." He most probably refers to Thomas H. Seymour of CT, governor of CT at that time. Bottom portion well beneath signature irregularly torn with paper loss. As Navy Secretary, Dec 18, 1858, he writes to Captain Frederick Engle, commander of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, thanking him for a report. Plus a partly-printed DS, Mar 14, 1859. On Navy Department letterhead he orders Emery Brooks to report to the Board of Naval Engineers for his consideration for an appointment as an Assistant Engineer in the Navy. Endorsed at bottom margin by Commander Engle and the chief engineer. All are boldly signed. Occasional light wrinkling; else VG/Fine. Est: $60-120

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