Jefferson Davis signed correspondence, off Smithville N. C., dated May 14th, 1853, addressed to Henry K. Craig, Ordinance Department, Washington City, D.C., written by William B. Whitehead, Capt. U. S. Revenue Cutter James C. Dobbin, requesting approval for condemned shot to be used for ballast, the verso with a brief opinion signed by Henry Craig, and Recommendation Approved, signed Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, the Dobbin was the only revenue cutter based in the South to escape to the North before the Civil War, 9 3/4" x 7 3/4". Provenance: The Ephemera Collection of Joseph Rubinfine, Merritt Island, Florida. Verso with tape repair to fold separation