Scarce CIVIL War South Carolina Secession Document

Lot description

Scarce, early lithographic copy of the South Carolina 1860 Secession Act captured by Union troops on March 3, 1865, the document, dated December 20. 1860, displays the signatures of more than 130 delegates to the secession convention, a lined section added at the lower part reads "This Scroll of Treason was found in house of Dr. Lamb. Secretary of State. together with other records of the State Department while on a Two Day Scout. The Party consisting of the following commands Co. A, 102nd  U.S.C.T. 1st Lieut. O.W. Bennett, Co. F, 102nd U.S.C.T. Capt. J.E. Bradley, Co. G. 1st Lieut. G.A. Southworth, Co. K, Capt. C.S. Montague, the Whole Under the Command of Maj. N. Clark, U.S. C.T., March 3, 1865", further added at lower left "Entered According to Act of Congress in the Clerks Office of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in the Year 1865 by George A. Southworth and George D. Baptiste." now framed under non-glare glass, not examined out of frame, document approx. 30.75"h, 23.5"w, frame 37.75"h, 31.75"w, total for shipping 12.85lbs   Note 1 . The original Secession document is in the possession of the State of South Carolina. 200 copies were printed by Evans and Cogswell Co. of Charleston and Columbia (1859-1980) primarily to  provide a copy for each convention delegate.  During the Civil War the printers name was changed to "Evans & Cogswell, Confederate Government Printers and Lithographers". The company printed Confederate currency. Note 2 . George A. Southworth (Leoni, Michigan, b. 1842), enlisted 04/22/1861, re-enlisted 11/15/1864 as Lieutenant, 2nd Infantry, USCT, discharged Sept. 30, 1865. Southworth likely thought the document was original, added the "Scroll of Treason" part, and had the document registered in a U.S. District Court.  Note 3 . David W. Lamb (1827/28-1874) Charleston, Physician, Charleston, associated with Marysville Plantation, Charleston County. Lamb was not South Carolina Secretary of State.