The 30 Minute Rule begins April 15 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By April 15 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
Early American consul of the Sandwich Islands, the original name given to the islands of Hawaii by Captain James Cook in 1778. Rare Civil War-dated ALS signed "John A. Parker, Late U.S. Consul 'Sandwich Islands,'" one page, 7.75 x 10, April 13, 1865. Handwritten letter to General Ord, in full: "I am 61 years of age, have in no way been connected with the war, and until 1862, I was in the discharge of official duties at the 'Sandwich Islands.' I respectfully ask to be put on parole, to visit my family in the county of Dinwiddie, near Petersburg; and from there to visit Washington on public and private business." Docketing on the reverse, dated April 15, 1865, issued from “Hd. Qrs. Ary. of the James, Richmond Va.” reads: “Respectfully referred to Gen. Patrick Pro. Marshal Genl. who will grant parole and direct him give [pass] to Genl. Grant to Genl. Lee's army." In fine condition.
Richmond fell to Union forces on April 3, 1865, and Lee surrendered at Appomattox on April 9; this document was executed just six days later, in the first uncertain days of Union occupation of the former Confederate capital. Its endorsement directs that Parker be passed through “to Genl. Lee’s army” — meaning the surrendered Army of Northern Virginia encamped in Dinwiddie County — perfectly captures the brief administrative moment when one army was victorious and the other dissolved, yet both were still sorting out the practical geography of peace. Major General Edward O.C. Ord commanded the Army of the James, while Brigadier General Marsena Patrick, as Provost Marshal General, oversaw the issuance of paroles and passes in occupied Virginia. Parker, a former U.S. Consul to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) who had returned to Virginia in 1862, appealed to his age, civilian status, and prior federal service, securing approval within forty-eight hours.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
