TOUCEY, ISAAC 1792 1869 (2 resultados)

Washington [D.C.] and Hartford, Conn., 1856-1863. [6]pp. in all. Six items: Two A.Ls.S., one L.S., two A.Ns.S., and one D.S. Ranging in size from 7 x 4½ inches to 9¾ x 7¾ inches. Folios and one bifolium; various paper stocks. One A.L.S. mounted. Accompanied by an engraved portrait of "I. Toucey," 8¾ x 6¼ inches, with adhesive remnants around perimeter of verso. Fold lines on letters; document with short closed tears at folds; overall, very good. In 1857, Isaac Toucey (1792-1869) of Connecticut was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President James Buchanan. Prior to this, Toucey, a native of Newtown, Connecticut, had a distinguished legal and political career. He had served as U.S. Congressman, Governor, and U.S. Senator. He had even already been a member of a presidential cabinet, serving as Attorney General in the Polk administration. His tenure as Secretary of the Navy, in the years leading up to the American Civil War, was marred by suspicions that he was sympathetic to the South. The Dictionary of American Biography reports that: "His sympathies were more or less with the South, and he was suspected, perhaps unjustly, of so disposing of the country's naval forces in 1860 as to aid the South in the movement toward secession[.] . Toucey's sympathetic attitude toward the South incited some members of the Connecticut legislature to remove his portrait from the gallery of ex-governors, and a resolution providing for the replacement of the portrait, offered in the state Senate in 1863, was defeated." Here we see a small cache of letters, notes, and documents signed by Isaac Toucey. They are accompanied by an engraved portrait of Toucey. The collection of manuscripts includes three autograph or signed letters and one signed document dating from 1857 and 1858, Naval Secretary Toucey's first year in office. In the 1857 document, Toucey appoints Mexican War hero Commander John A. Winslow (1811-1873) to serve on a general court martial. In an 1858 letter he introduces Commodore Francis Gregory - "who's so well known to the country." In an 1857 letter, Toucey writes about his cramped carriage. In another letter that same year, he informs a correspondent that Commander Henry J. Hartstene, a rescuer of Arctic explorer Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, is now living in Savannah, Georgia. Also found among this collection of manuscripts are two autograph notes signed by Toucey. One, written in 1856 as U.S. Senator from Connecticut, complies with a simple request for an autograph. The other note is a short sentiment written at the time of the Civil, after he had returned to his private law practice. Toucey's poignant sentiment from March 1863-"Be just and fear not"-may reflect his own judgment upon his controversial actions as Secretary of the Navy. An engraved portrait of Toucey that accompanies the collection reflects this firm, yet calm outlook.

No Binding. Condición: Very Good. 1st Edition. Hand signed by Isaac Toucey bottom right. A beautiful Navy Commission on full vellum ( animal skin ), with cartouche of sailing ship at top and a cartouche featuring flags, eagle, anchor etc and intact wax seal at the bottom. Neat and flowing hand written additions include the full name of the appointee William P. De Sanno( or DeSanno ), the date of his appointment in 1859, and the date of the document in 1860. Neat countersignature bottom left with hand written addition regarding rank. Legible throughout, though a bit soiled, mainly at the edges, and with some folds and creases but complete and not torn. Dimensions are about 38 cm or 15 inches high and 31 cm or 12 inches wide. Currently framed in a gilt and mottled black frame and clean beige mount behind glass. Please note that I cannot send the frame with glass overseas. It will be cheaper to send the vellum commission without frame also. Isaac Toucey was born in Newtown Connecticut in 1792 and rose in state politics to becaome the Governor of Connecticut in 1846 to 1847. His career in national politics culminated in his appointment as Secretary of the Navy by President James K. Polk. As Secretary of the Navy, Toucey presided over two important developments in the United States Navy's history: its modernization, and the heroic first laying of a transatlantic cable. A lawyer by training, his view of the Constitution favoured states rights, an unpopular stance in Union political circles during the Civil War. Finding himself on the wrong side of the main debates he retired back to Connnecticut where he died in 1869, 9 years after affixing his signature to this document. William Penn de Sanno was born 18 April 1829 in Philadelphia and died on 24 April 1901 in Philadelphia. He married Mary Ann Doughton. He was the son of Rev. George 'Frederick' de Sanno & Sarah Bickley (Heaton). Originally buried in Monument Cemetery. Re-interred with other family members when cemetery was moved. Bronze marker "DeSanno" is only marker for the older graves. William P De Sanno received Patent #40,446, in Philadelphia, for a sewing machine Oct 27, 1863, along with 3 other men. His children were Mary Ann De Sanno (1851 - 1851), William Doughton De Sanno (1856 - 1861), William Paul De Sanno (1860 - 1864), Eloise De Sanno (1861 - 1862) and Paul Doughton De Sanno (1867 - 1867). Questions or discussion welcome. Signed by Author(s).