#96 • Letter of Safe Conduct for William Garl Brown, Jr. Signed by Captain Samuel H. Walker, August 1847

Part of Arms, Armor and The Early West (live auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

High bid $1,300.00

Status: Sold

5.5" x 9.25". Signed by both Walker as Captain of the US Mounted Rifles as well as Colonel Henry Whiting as Adjutant General. The letter requests safe passage to New Orleans, free of charge, to English artist William Garl Brown, Jr. (1823-1894), who had been a guest of General Zachary Taylor at his headquarters in Walnut Springs. Brown had been invited to paint the General's portrait, as well as several scenes of the camp. The full-size portrait, commissioned by the Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, was painted just after the Battle of Buena Vista. Upon his return, the painting was shown to the public for a 25-cent admission fee. It currently resides at the Louisiana State Museum. **Good condition overall. Some foxing of paper with a large old stain in the center.** $500-$700