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Prize laws authorized ship personnel to receive a portion of the value of goods seized from enemy ships. Pursuant to the Act of June 30, 1864, the goods of vessels legally seized by the U.S. Navy would be inventoried, appraised and auctioned. Proceeds, after costs, would be distributed to the Government for disabled veterans to squadron commanders and the rest divided among officers and crew. Two broadsides, 7 ½ by 9 ½, docketed on verso. Printed forms completed in ink manuscript, with the signatures of LEENDERT MEYER, A.R. HAWTHORNE and EDWARD GIBSON. Second form is identical but the claimant s signature is that of JOHN M. LINDBERG. KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, LEONARD (misspelled) MEYERS being entitled to prize money under the Act of Congress, entitled An Act to regulate prize proceedings, and the distribution of prize money, and for other purposes, approved June 30, 1864, as a seaman on board the U.S. Vessel Alabama being for captures made by said vessel in the years of 1861-5, do hereby appoint STILLMAN B. ALLEN of Boston, Mass, my attorney, for me and in my name, to demand of and receive from the proper officers of the United States the amount of prize money which may be found due me from the United States. [signed] LEENDERT MEYER/ We certify that the person who signed the foregoing power of attorney in our presence at Norfolk this fourth day of March, 1865, is the identical person named herein.[signed] A.R. LANGTHORNE, Commanding U.S.S. Alabama/ EDWARD A. GIBSON, PAYMASTER, U.S.S. Alabama. Verso: LEONARD MYERS [misspelled], U.S.S. Alabama, Seaman, Prize Money, not on for SARAH, not on for NELLY, not on for CATALINA, recd. Mch 13/65/STILLMAN B. ALLEN, BOSTON, MASS, ATTY FOR CLAIMANT [Boston: 1865] Second broadside is identical but is designated to JOHN M. LINBERG. LEENDERT MEYER, born about 1843 in Holland, enlisted in the Navy in New York on May 28, 1864. He is described as being 21 with brown hair, hazel eyes and a scar on his right wrist. JOHN [JOHAN] M. LINBERG, born about 1837 in Norway, enlisted in the Navy in New York on June 4, 1864. He was 27 with brown hair, blue eyes and a dark complexion. AMOS R. LANGTHORNE (1832-1877) was born in Nova Scotia, settled in Maine with his wife and became an American shipwright and mariner. He enlisted in the Navy in December 1861, was promoted to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant in January 1863. During his career, he served as Master of the C.P. Williams of Porter s Mortor Flotilla, served with the Mississippi Squadron, was the first commander of the U.S.S. Rattler, was Acting Volunteer Lieutenant and commander of the U.S.S. Mound City and participated as commander of the U.S.S. Alabama during the attack on Fort Fischer. EDWARD R. GIBSON was Acting Assistant Paymaster of the U.S.S. Alabama [3rd rate]. STILLMAN B. ALLEN (1830-1891) was born and educated in Maine and admitted to the state s bar in 1853. He moved to Boston in 1861. Allen was a trial attorney with a reputation for winning the largest verdicts against railroads and corporations in the country. The broadsides come with ample research. Old folds with a few short splits reinforced with archival tape. Three very small punch holes. Two letters slightly affected. Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club, The Ephemera Society, the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers and the Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction Houses. [CW 347].
Seller Inventory # ABE-1755550383273
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