Grant Enforces U.S. Neutrality in the Franco-Prussian War
Letter, signed (“George S. Boutwell”) as Secretary of the Treasury, to P.M. McFadden, Collector of Customs, Wiscasset, Maine, enclosing the Proclamation of of Oct. 8 by President Grant, outlning U.S. policies of neutrality toward France and Germany; enjoining McFadden to enforce the duties imposed by the Proclamation during hostilities.
N.p., [Washington, D.C.?]: Oct. 12, 1870.
Price: $750.00
About the item
1-1/2 pp., in secretarial hand, in ink, on 2 sheets of ruled Treasury Department letterhead. [with:] Grant, U.S., President of the United States. Printed Proclamation “By the President of the United States.” 3 pp., 8vo, Oct. 8, 1870. 4to. Grant Enforces U.S. Neutrality in the Franco-Prussian War. Both letter and proclamaton very good. In brown cloth chemise.
Item #248508
Upon the the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war in the summer of 1870., President Grant issued a proclamation in August, 1870, declaring a policy of U.S. neutrality toward France and the North German Federation and its allies. In the enclosed porclamation of October 8, Grant further outlines that policy, declaring that “any frequenting and use of the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States by the armed vessels of either belligerent … must be regarded as unfriendly and offensive…”
In departmental letter from the the U.S. Treasurer to his customs officials, Boutwell enjoins his staff “to aid in the execution of those parts of the Proclamation which relate to the stay and departure of the armed vessels of the belligerents. Any violation of the Proclamation which shall come to your knowledge you will at once make known to the District Attorney of your District, and also report the same to the Secretary of the Treasury by letter, or by telegraph …”.
