One-page autograph letter signed to Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache
Flag Ship Osliabia, Road of Alexandria in the Potomac: December 5, 1863. 4to, 16 lines, approx. 90 words; integral leaf attached; generally very good. A rare letter from the Russian Rear-Admiral while on a diplomatic mission to the U.S. 1863-64. This expedition became a military demonstration by Russia during the Civil War. England and France advocated for the southern rebels. Russia held a friendly position in respect to the federal government in the North. It increased hostility toward Russia on the part of England and France, which strove for loosening Russia's international influence. The Russian government decided to send two ship squadrons to the US to demonstrate support for the northerners, as well as to create a potential threat to marine communications of England and France in order to make them refuse assistance to the South States. The Osliabia (built 1860) was a screw frigate and was decommissioned in 1874. Bache writes in part: "In reply to your interesting note, I beg to inform you that the following officers of the Squadron have been with me on the Diana during the memorable earthquake..." The Admiral goes on to list the details of two captains and their commands. Bache, grandson of Benjamin Franklin, at the time was head of the U. S. Coast Survey. Item #30487
Price: $750.00
