Lee, Robert E. A letter regarding the reservation of the Florida Keys for military forces

Property from Joseph Rubinfine, American Historical Autographs

LEE, ROBERT E.

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("R LEE"), TO THOMAS BLAKE, REGARDING THE RESERVATION OF THE FLORIDA KEYS FOR MILITARY FORCES 

1 page (9 3/4 x 7 7/8 in.; 247 x 200 mm), on blue ruled paper, Washington, 24 February 1845; 2 file-hole punches at top margin, minor separation at folds. With an anachronistic color portrait of Lee in Confederate uniform. Matted, framed, and glazed together; not examined out of frame. 

Lee writes: "I have had the honor to receive the copy of your letter of the 9th Aug [of] 1843 to the Register of the Land Office at St Augustine, & a copy of your letter of 22 July 1844..." On 3 March 1845, Florida was admitted to the Union as the 27th state. The present letter addresses the use of the Florida Keys, which form the southernmost part of the continental United State. Lee continues: "In case the general authority there given should not be considered to include the Dry Tortugas, which are at the termination of the Florida Reef & far removed in the Gulf, application will be made to the President of the U.S. for special directions for their reservation."

In 1829, the survey ship Florida stopped at the Dry Tortugas to evaluate its suitability as a military post. Josiah Tattnall was delighted with what he found there, and noted that if hostile powers should occupy the Dry Tortugas, United States shipping in the Gulf would be gravely threatened. The only alternative he saw was to establish absolute naval superiority in this region. Captain John G. Barnard made detailed reconnaissance in November 1844, and on 17 September 1845, the Dry Tortugas became a national military reservation.

Thomas Blake served as a United States Representative from Indiana from 1827 to 1829. On 19 May 1842, President John Tyler appointed Blake as Commissioner of the General Land Office, a post he held until April of 1845.