Narrative of the Mission to Russia, in 1866, of the Hon. Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant-Secretary of the Navy. From the Journal and Notes of J. F. Loubat
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1873. First edition. Engraved plates. Original cloth over boards. Quarto. viii, [2], 10-444 pages. Bound in rust colored cloth over bevelled boards stamped in gilt and black, dark teal endpapers. Binding shows minor extremity rubs, shallow bumps to spine ends. Hinges and endpapers sound. Some light scattered foxing inside. Very handsome copy.
Detailed report which is inscribed and signed by Gustavus Fox on a preliminary blank leaf. The inscription reads: "Miss S. L. Tucker / with the regards of / G. V. Fox / Lowell / July 3d 1873."
The purpose of Fox's 1866 mission to Russia was to personally deliver a Resolution passed by Congress congratulating Russian Emperor Alexander II on his escape from assassination on April 16th of that year. Fox was also directed to visit various European ports and gather such information as he could on their naval capabilities.
Fox chose to cross the sea in the Miantonomoh, a turreted ironclad monitor. This was a first for this class of vessel. A full page engraving of the Miantonomoh is included among the engraved illustrations in the text.
The purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million took place the year following this diplomatic mission.
Item #1301
Price: $450