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Confederate Agent Archive

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Confederate Agent Archive
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A lot of fascinating items involving notorious Confederate Nathaniel Beverley Tucker and his efforts to form a company in Paris during the Civil War which would establish a direct trade route between Europe and the Confederate States. Archive includes: (1) Autograph document signed ''Beverley Tucker,'' ''Pecquet du Bellet,'' ''Cte de Barck'' and ''F. Carteret'' from Paris dated 18 March 1863. In part, ''It is proposed by the Parties hereinafter mentioned that they form themselves into an agency…for the transaction of business with the Confederate States Government, and the separate States Governments and Rail Road and other companies. The objects of this association are…the construction of new Rail-Roads and the establishment of Lines of first class steamers which have become necessary for the development and increase of direct trade and travel between the Southern States and the great ports of Europe…the said Tucker will return forthwith to the Confederate States for the purpose of promoting the aforesaid objects…'' 2.5 pages on front and verso measuring 7.5'' x 12'', with the lower blank half of the second sheet (7.5'' x 5'') removed. Nicks and tears at edges, strengthened at folds. (2) Contemporary manuscript copy of a letter from Paul Pecquet du Bellet to Beverley Tucker from Paris dated 2 April 1863, fifteen days after the above agency was formed. In part, ''Since your departure, I have received several applications for C.S. cotton scrip from important manufacturers of Alsace…The fact that the loan has created a great appetite for this sort of speculation would render the task an easy one and the success certain…It would also realize a large portion of that which our Government will need after the restoration of peace. It would also create among the manufacturing classes – holders of these scrip, a powerful interest which would closely link their fortunes with the future destinies of our country.'' Three pages, front and verso, measure 8'' x 12''. Browned at folds with partial separation; mouse-eaten mostly in blank margins, touching a few letters. (3) Autograph Letter Signed ''P.B.'' [Pecquet du Bellet], from Paris dated 5 February 1863. To Beverly Tucker, beginning ''Dear Bev.'' In part, ''…The loan [James M.] Mason is engaged in raising must be the one for 2 million of dollars alluded to…Be this as it may De Bark is on D'Orignys track and will give him the chase until he finds him out…Welesly came to the Café last night…declaring in the most emphatic way that his friends were ready as ever and getting very impatient…Courage my old friend for it looks as though a ray of the sun was just at this moment burning over our long mishaps – God bless us…'' Former Virginia U.S. Senator James M. Mason had been appointed commissioner of the Confederacy to Great Britain and France. While on his way to his post, he was taken from the British mail steamer ''Trent'' on 8 November 1861, and was confined in Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. When he was released in January 1862, he proceeded to London and represented the Confederacy until its downfall in April 1865. Four pages measure 5'' x 8''. Fine condition. (4) Autograph letter unsigned from Pecquet du Bellet, Paris, 13 February 1863. [To Beverly Tucker], beginning ''My dearest friend.'' In part, ''I have called to see our friend de Barck. He assures me that his interest will be clearly defines so soon as H agents who being the basis of the whole operation. He will at once get them to procure the necessary funds for your expenses and your trip to the C.S. It might be well, as a powerful inducement, to authorize me to include in the profits of this new partnership, those to result from your present contracts…'' Four pages measure 5'' x 8''. Fine condition.

On 3 May 1865, President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation which stated that it appeared from evidence in the Bureau of Military Justice that the murder of President Lincoln was ''incited, concerted, and procured by and between Jefferson Davis, late of Richmond, Virginia, and Jacob Thompson, Clement C. Clay, Beverley Tucker, George N. Sanders, William C. Cleary, and other rebels and traitors.'' Offered was a $25,000 for the arrest of Beverley Tucker. Beginning in late 1861, Tucker lived in Europe under contract to the Confederate Bureau of Ordnance to ship munitions through the blockade. It was at this time that the four documents in this collection were written. After the war ended, Tucker wrote a public denial of his guilt from Montreal, suggesting that if anyone had a strong reason for killing Lincoln it was Johnson who ''had been noted for many years as an almost frenzied aspirant for the Presidency.'' From Canada, Tucker fled to Liverpool then to Mexico and then back to Canada, returning to the United States in 1872. Paul Pecquet du Bellet, a former New Orleans attorney whose father was born in France, lived in Paris when the Civil War began. He worked for the Confederate cause during the war, later writing ''The Diplomacy of the Confederate Cabinet of Richmond and Its Agents Abroad: Being Memorandum Notes Taken in Paris during the Rebellion of the Southern States from 1861 to 1865.''