Judah Benjamin
London, England, November 26, 1866
Judah Benjamin 1866 ALS As English Barrister Re: Case Involving NY & New Orleans - Possibly Ex-Confederate Client?
ALS

A 2pp autograph letter signed by former Confederate cabinet member Judah Benjamin (1811-1884), then a barrister in London exile, as "J.P. Benjamin." November 26, 1866. 4 Child's Place, Temple, London, England. Inscribed on laid watermarked paper. The third page and the outer leaf are blank. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Isolated ink smears just touching the elegant signature. Else near fine. 5" x 8".

Benjamin had been a practicing lawyer in Louisiana since the early 1830s. After he fled to England in August 1865, however, he was required to study English law in order to practice as an English barrister. Benjamin enrolled at London's Inn and read English law under Charles Pollock before passing the bar in 1866, the same year as this letter.

Benjamin writes to an unidentified client regarding their inability to pay a legal retainer. The circumstances of this case are unclear, but it involved an American lawsuit since the defendants are from New York and New Orleans. It may have been linked to Civil War-related claims, but more research is definitely needed. In 1866 and 1867, Benjamin represented several ex-Confederate agents in suits brought against the federal government. Was this correspondence related to a similar case?

In full:

"4 Child's Place
Temple
London 26 Nov. 1866

My dear Sir

I received this morning yr favor of 1st inst - I am sorry it is not in your power to forward the am't necessary for costs in yr cases, as it seems to me your recovery of the am't due you is almost a certainty -

I could not make to any respectable attorney the proposal you suggest - I saw however the attys I wrote to you about, and they will take the chance of losing money by paying costs, if you can remit £150, or send a credit for that sum on any good house in London or Liverpool -

If you can't manage this you might perhaps be able to bring an attachment suit ag't the parties in New York or New Orleans - Shall I send you back your papers or what shall I do with them?

Yours truly
J.P. Benjamin"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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