Civil War–dated partly-printed DS as president, one page, 19.75 x 13.75, September 28, 1864. President Lincoln confirms the appointment of a Brazilian diplomat. In part: “Satisfactory evidence having been exhibited to me that Luiz Frederico de Figaniére has been appointed Vice Consul of Brazil for the port of New York and its District, I do hereby recognize him as such, and declare him free to exercise such functions, powers and privileges as are allowed to Vice Consuls.” Gorgeously signed at the conclusion by Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward. In very good condition, with fragile intersecting folds (one vertical fold passing between two letters at end of signature) and a few blocks of toning. Within mere days of this appointment, there was a Civil War skirmish in Brazilian waters—the USS Wachusett had been sent down to Bahia, Brazil, with orders to protect American commerce in the area. When the Wachusett happened to encounter the Confederate raider CSS Florida in Bahia harbor in the early morning hours of October 7, Commander Napoleon Collins gave the order to open fire on the ship, and in this surprise attack the Wachusett’s men were quickly able to capture the Florida, killing five Confederates while suffering no losses of their own. Despite the Union victory the engagement sparked a foreign relations incident, as Brazil claimed that the Americans had violated Brazil's neutrality by illegally attacking a vessel in their harbor. Under pressure from the Brazilian government, Commander Collins was officially court martialed—however, he was never forced to serve a sentence and was, in fact, promoted, largely because of his victory over the CSS Florida. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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