Handwritten war-dated endorsement, signed as president, “A. Lincoln,” dated June 4, 1863, on the reverse of a two-page letter (lightly-lined) to him from Samuel A. Foot, dated June 4, 1863. Foot writes, in full: “Under the new arrangements, which it is understood are about being made in respect to South Carolina, the Government may need the services of some one as U. S. District Judge for the District of that State. I offer my services for that purpose, with the understanding and pledge on my part, to resign whenever the Government can find a suitable person, a citizen of that state, to take the position.” On the reverse Lincoln has forwarded Foot’s letter to his Attorney General, Edward Bates, writing, in full, “Attorney General, please preserve – Judge Foot is cousin to the Admiral, & is vouched as an excellent man. A. Lincoln, June 4, 1863.” Letter is also docketed in unknown hand: “South Carolina District Judgeship, June 4, 1863.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, light soiling, a thin line of toning through endorsement, and scattered light creasing.
Foot, a justice in the US Court of Appeals of New York from 1844-1852, had already had a long-standing relationship with the sixteenth president when he contacted him to offer his services, at least temporarily, in South Carolina. Lincoln had purportedly consulted with Foot on various topics, including the Dred Scott case. At the time of this correspondence, US courts did not exist in the South and had only been reestablished in Northern territories in 1863. Around this period, Foot was also involved in debates over the rights of captured Rebel troops and the confiscation of their property, including, one would imagine, any slaves. The president did not approve of a Congressional resolution authorizing such actions, and both he and Attorney General Bates largely ignored the confiscation laws. Interestingly, in spite of Lincoln’s endorsement, the Attorney General’s office left the South Carolina judgeship vacant, as no district judges are listed for South Carolina in the US Official Register for 1863 or 1865. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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