Buchanan introduces a friend who “intends to visit California to gratify his taste & curiosity”

17. James Buchanan Autograph Letter Signed to California Military Governor. ALS, one page, 8 x 10, December 24, 1848. Handwritten letter to General Persifor Frazer Smith, one of the last military governors of California. In full: “It affords me pleasure to introduce to you the bearer hereof, Caleb Lyon Esquire of Lyonsdale, New York. Mr. Lyon is one accomplished scholar & gentleman & intends to visit California to gratify his taste & curiosity. I have enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance for some years: & can cheerfully command him to your kindness.” In very good to fine condition, with a split to the end of the central horizontal fold, and faint staining to the upper and lower blank areas. Starting Bid $200

18. James Buchanan Document Signed as President. Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 16 x 10, February 20, 1861. President Buchanan appoints William H. Barbour as “First Lieutenant of Company ‘C,’ ‘National Guard.’ of the Militia of the District of Columbia.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by President James Buchanan, and countersigned by Secretary of War Joseph Holt. In very good condition, with splitting and staining along the central vertical fold, and a tape repair to a partial split on the reverse. This document is noteworthy in its proximity in date to the Civil War—it comes just six weeks before Abraham Lincoln took office as president, and about three months before the outbreak of the conflict. Starting Bid $200

Bold and crisp 1864 endorsement by President Abraham Lincoln, directing his Secretary of the Treasury to review a case

19. Abraham Lincoln Autograph Endorsement

Signed as President. Boldly penned Civil War–dated autograph endorsement signed as president, “A. Lincoln,” on a 3.5 x 7.75 docketing panel, October 6, 1864. In full: “Will the Sec. of the Treasury please see the bearer Mr. Roberts, and give his case the proper attention.” In fine condition. This text is not recorded in Lincoln’s papers; at the time, William P. Fessenden was serving as Secretary of the Treasury. In that role, he helped shape the Union’s taxation and financial policies, and raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the war effort through the issuance of bonds. Starting Bid $1000