Summer 2025 | July 18-20, 2025

William Lindsay Scruggs (1836–1912) was an American lawyer, diplomat, and writer who played a significant role in U.S. foreign relations in the late 19th century, particularly in Latin America. He served as U.S. Minister to Colombia and later to Venezuela, where he became deeply involved in the boundary dispute between Venezuela and British Guiana. Scruggs strongly advocated for U.S. intervention under the Monroe Doctrine, helping to bring the issue to the attention of President Grover Cleveland and Secretary of State Richard Olney. His lobbying and writings, including the influential pamphlet The Venezuelan Question, were pivotal in prompting U.S. diplomatic involvement that eventually led to international arbitration. Scruggs was also the founder of the Atlanta public school system (1869-1870).

Document Signed, The Riggs National Bank, Washington, D.C., 1903. Bank check showing vignette of the bank.

Letter from Charles Edwards, Counsellor, Attorney & Notary, New York addressed to Capt. Geo. Whiton, Commissary for Prisoners, Elmira, NY.
"Accept my thanks for your welcome intelligence of Mr. Cameron’s release and especially for your kindness which he strongly wrote about. I am sure that both he and his relatives will not forget you. I shall be ready to serve you at all times. Yours fraternally, Charles Edwards"

"OFFICIAL BUSINESS" crossed out.

Allover blue patriotic cover with General George B. McClellan on horseback (Like Bischel 562, Walcott 298), addressed to East Livermore, Maine. Manuscript endorsements "By Express" and "Contains $20" at top left, suggesting private carriage outside the postal system, although there is no indication as to where it originated and no evidence that it went through the mails or was carried by an express company.

Addressed to “Mr. Charles F. Packard, Alexandria, 27th Maine Regt. Co. A,” with “Bedford, Me. Mar 13” circular datestamp at left. Capt. Packard would later serve with the 102nd United States Colored Troops.

Addressed to the postmaster in Princeville, Ill. "JEFFERSON CITY, MO NOV. 11" datestamp. Datelined November 8, 1861.

Enclosed folded letter from a Union soldier, Thompson Klemmer, writing from Camp Marshall, to his wife Mary, reporting his good health, concern for ill comrades, movement near rebel camps in Virginia, instructions for retrieving money from the express office, and affectionate messages to his children.

Enclosed letter with interesting content from "The Factory Girl" to her cousin Oliver, explaining her decision to break off an unwanted courtship despite social pressure.

Red "BOSTON, MASS. AUG 17" postmark.

"The Capitol at Washington" illustrated design, before completion of the dome. Bold blue circular Gettysburg, Pa. / Nov 11 postmark, addressed to Mrs. Sophia Brown, Abbottstown, Adams Co., Pa.

"PHILADELPHIA, PA JUL. 16 1862" postmark, addressed to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Stamp tied by Stapleton, N.Y. circular datestamp with manuscript Sept 25 date. Addressed to Centerville, Allegany Co., N.Y. Very fine. Design unlisted in Walcott.

Two 3c singles tied on multicolored "Daughter of the Regiment" patriotic design envelope addressed to Geo. H. Knight, 13th Ohio Regt., in hospital, corner 7th & Spruce, Pacific Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., with directive “Please forward.”

"MAR 5 1862" Bowling Green, KY datestamp, addressed to Burlington, Ohio.

Michigan to New York

The cover is addressed to Mrs. George C. Palmer in Greenville, N.C. The letter is datelined Key West, Florida, April 14th, 1862, and signed by Jim, writing to his sister Clare.

Key West Florida
April 14th, 1862
Dear Sister,
I will write you a few lines this morning to let you hear from me. I am well and hope you the same. When I wrote you before I was quite sick but I am well now. We have had an awful rain hear last night our camp is almost under water this morning. I never saw it rain so hard in my life. It rained for 8 hours and the Island is almost covered with water so you can judge for your self. It is very pleasant this morning but very warm. We expect to leave here for South Carolina soon. The report is this morning is that New Orleans is taken. I hope that is so if it is so we will be home about the middle of June. We have received no pay yet but will get pay for 4 months. The first of May then there will be $36 for you at Albany. You must get it and get Johns Boddy home as soon as you can. I will send more home as soon as I get it. This letter you will see this letter will be mailed at Albany. I send it there by Benoni Rhodes he will mail it their. Tell George Palmer when he goes to Albany to go and see him. He lives 118 Hawk St.. He is the nicest man That I ever new he will tell him all about me. He has got his discharge so I will send this by him. Alex Campbell is very sick but we hope not dangerous. It is very unhealthy here now we are in hopes that we will get off from here soon. I will close. Write soon as you can. I remain your ever loving Brother Jim.
To his sister Clare.
Direct as before

Addressed to E. Hallett, Hillsdale, Mich.

Rebacked

Stamp Tied by Cairo, Ill datestamp. Cover with stains and slightly reduced at right,

Bold "Augusta, Me., Paid" circular handstamp. Letterhead dated April 26, 1864 with content regarding Navy & Marines enlistment. Very Fine and Attractive.

Manuscript ship marking “U.S.S. Lancaster, Panama Bay N.G.” at lower left with "DUE 10" straightline. Addressed to St. Joseph, Missouri. The cover with pressed edged and small sealed tear, otherwise Very Fine.

On 11 November 1864, a secret expedition of boats from the USS Lancaster captured a party of Confederate officers aboard the passenger steamer Salvador, off the Bay of Panama. They had planned to seize the Salvador for the Confederate Government and convert her into a raider to capture Union gold shipments from California. It is possible that this cover was aboard the U.S.S. Lancaster during this historic capture.

"JOHNSONS RANCH, CAL. JUN 28" double circle postmark, to Clinton, Summit Co., Ohio. The stamp with some short perfs, the cover with foxing and insect spots.

Addressed to Samuel Howard Gerrish in Vallejo, California. With a PF Certificate which states, "SINGLE, GRID CANCEL, ON PATRIOTIC COVER TO VALLEJO CA, SPRINGFIELD MA PMK AT BOTTOM LEFT. AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
IT IS A GENUINE USAGE; THE STAMP HAS TWO LIGHT HORIZONTAL CREASES THE COVER WITH A SMALL STAIN AT CENTER"

Design featuring a Zouave soldier with rifle and flag, a pointing hand, and the text "TO WASHINGTON VIA BALTIMORE" on a signpost. Addressed to Mr. John A. Holmes, Norrington, Trumbull Co., Ohio. With "Forest City, CAL APR. 11" postmark. Like Bischel 3657, W-2008va.