RICHMOND Va. JAN 4 (1865) circular datestamp (Powell type 6p) with matching DUE 10 (type P) on cover to Capt. J.F. Sessions, Woodville, Mississippi, with Member of Congress signature at upper right of “J.T. Lamkin M.C.” Open on 3 sides and some soiling. Scarce Member of Congress Due from Mississippi congressman. Ex Harry Muldrow. $250.
Confederate congressmen were permitted to send letters without the prepayment of postage. The postage was to be paid on delivery by the recipient. All letters were to be endorsed with the signature of the congressmen. This privilege was not widely used because congressmen were doubtless reluctant to have their constituents pay to receive their letters. Nonetheless, these endorsements are seen on Confederate mail, usually as a holdover from having been in the U.S. Congress in years prior.
John Tillman Lamkin (1811-1870) was a Mississippi lawyer who served in the House of Representatives of the Second Confederate Congress from May 2, 1864, to March 18, 1865. He served on three committees: commerce, patents, post offices and roads. Lamkin was born in Georgia but lived in Louisiana and Texas before settling in Mississippi where he was admitted to the Mississippi bar in 1838.
Joseph F. Sessions served in the Confederate army as captain of the 18th Mississippi Infantry, Company K, as well as Co. K Mississippi 7th Infantry and Co. E. Confederate States Army Powers’ Cavalry.