French Spoliation: In the Court of Claims.... Petition. Filed January 7, 1887.
N.p. N.p., [1887]. Paperback. 8vo. Self-cover. 7pp. Very good. Outer wrappers faintly soiled and mildly edgeworn. Item #40498
Probable sole edition of this bibliographically-cryptic pamphlet presenting the case of Lefferts W. Lloyd, Catherine W. Mitchell and Samuel F. Engs (each the administrator of the estate of a deceased) versus the United States in this "French Spoliation Claim" -- claims made by U.S. citizens against France, Holland and Spain for ships and goods seized by privateers prior to September 30, 1800, at ports controlled by those countries -- a rather sizeable and definitely bizarre category of strange maritime documents, with claims made by descendants into the 20th century. This particular claim involves John and Abraham Franklin and their ship "Hunter," commanded by William Whitlock. In 1798 she sailed from New York, headed for France and then China, but was captured by a Spanish and then a French privateer -- it all gets hairy and convoluted, but in the end the ship and goods were damaged and the descendants seek $75,000 in damages.
Price: $55.00