LS signed as secretary of state, one page, 7.75 x 9.75, black-bordered Department of State letterhead, July 21, 1865. Seward writes to C. M. Walker, “Fifth Auditor.” In part: “I transmit herewith a communication … from Philip J. Scanlan. In returning the communication to this Department I will thank you to accompany it with any information which you may possess upon the subject in question.” The “mourning” letterhead (unusual for a federal agency or department) was in commemoration of the death of Abraham Lincoln three months earlier, on April 15. At the time of writing, Seward bore facial scars from the knife attack upon him by Lewis Powell, one of the assassination conspirators, at the same time that John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre. Powell and three of his nefarious associates were hanged on July 7, just two weeks before Seward sent this letter. Light toning to upper portion and mild scattered soiling and handling wear, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
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