Illegal Cargo On Steamboat Montezuma Revealed By Pierce Presidential Elector, Troop Recruiter For Mexican War
JAMES E. SAUNDERS of Lawrence, Alabama, was a member of the
state Legislature and chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In 1842, he moved to
Mobile, where he established himself in the commission business as a member of
Bradford & Saunders. In 1845, President James Polk appointed him Collector
of the Port of Mobile, a position he held for four years. In 1852, he served on
the Electoral Ticket, which cast the vote in Alabama for Franklin Pierce and his
vice president William King.
JAMES W. LANG, adjutant and inspector general of Alabama, was one of the first to report a call to arms for Alabama’s men to fight on the Mexican frontier. “Hostilities have commenced,” he wrote in a handbill, published in the Mobile Advertiser on May 8, 1846. “Sixty-three of our men have been butchered or taken prisoners. Our army under General Taylor is surrounded by the enemy…I am the bearer of a call from Major Gen. Gaines upon the Governor of Alabama for Volunteers…”
Offering a one-page, 7 ¾ x 10, sheet with two ALSs, Mobile [AL], December 14th, 1846. The first being from Lang to Saunders reporting the violation of Revenue Law by the Steamboat Montezuma. “I report the Steam Boat Montezuma, a packet, flying between New Orleans and this Port, as having this day violated Revenue Law by bringing from the Port of New Orleans into this Port 15 cases (wine) Claret, Sacks of Salt 50, more or less, ½ Pipe Brandy, 27 Or Casks Wine, 1 pipe wine, ½ Pipe Wine, 2 Sacks Coffee without a clearance for the above articles mentioned…”
Saunders, as Collector, writes on the same sheet. “It becomes my duty to call your attention to the breach of the Revenue Law by Henry E. Kelly, Master of the Steam Boat Montezuma, the particulars are set forth in the accompanying communication from James W. Lang Inspector so that you may initiate legal proceedings as the circumstances of the case may require. I am very respectfully, Yr Obt St, James E. Saunders, Collector…”
Nice verso description.
Folds, toning, two small edge tears reinforced with archival tape.
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