TO THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF WAR: MARSHALL O. ROBERTS, OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, DESIRES TO BRING BEFORE THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF WAR THE FACT THAT, WHENEVER HE HAS ANY TRANSACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH HIS STEAMERS, ATTEMPTS ARE IMMEDIATELY MADE TO BLACKMAIL OR ANNOY HIM THROUGH A SUBORDINATE IN THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT; AND SO SHAMELESS HAD THIS BECAME THAT ON THE 26TH OF JUNE, 1863, THE UNDERSIGNED READ TO, AND FILED WITH THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL, THE FOLLOWING MEMORIAL...
[New York? 1863]. 20pp, caption title as issued. Stitched, light margin spotting. Very Good.
Marshall O. Roberts [1818-1880] was a wealthy New York merchant, art patron and collector. He built the Hendrick Hudson, the first palatial steamboat which traveled on the Hudson River. A millionaire when the Civil War started, he chartered his steamship, the 'Star of the West', to the U.S. government to carry supplies and transport troops. The government agreed to return the ship to New York at the end of the charter period, or to pay Roberts $175,000 for her. The rebels seized the ship and its contents. While attempting to secure payment from the U.S. government, he received blackmail letters from Samuel Churchman, a clerk in the Quartermaster General's office.
Roberts brings this unsavory conduct to the attention of the President and Secretary of War. He provides copies of the letters, affidavits, and statements of witnesses.
OCLC 987275557 [1-AAS], as of June 2018. Item #34895
Price: $250.00