NYC Draft Riots! Mayor Opdyke Boldly Signs a Check Paying New Yorkers for Riot Damages during the 1862 Draft Riots.

Check, boldly signed by George Opdyke as Mayor of New York, Matthew T. Brennan as City Comptroller, and S.C. Lynes Jr. as the Bookkeeper, December 9, 1863, New York, NY, compensating New Yorkers for the 1862 Draft Riots. Cancellation hole stamped in center. Corners lightly worn, slight toning and creasing. The check: 3.5" x 8.25", authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA to a size of 5.5" x 12.5".

Swann Galleries in April of 2014 sold a pair for $1,875 including the buyer's premium.

The working classes of heavily-immigrant New York City had been lukewarm to the war from the start, owing to the fact that a majority of the South's exports passed through the ports and markets of the city and therefore provided many immigrant jobs. The Emancipation Proclamation of January 1863 strengthened immigrant opposition to the war as many foresaw free blacks migrating to the city in droves to compete for already low-paying jobs. The passing of the conscription act was the final straw and ignited the most destructive civil disturbance in New York city's history. Outraged rioters stormed the city and attacked Union soldiers and police officers. Approximately 300 of them were injured and 119 people died, most of them rioters. Beyond the human cost, rioters caused extensive property damage evidenced by the checks compensating victims for damage to their homes and places of business.  

George Opdyke, a millionaire clothing manufacturer and merchandiser, was active in formation of the Republican Party and the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. As Mayor of New York (1862-1863), he was active in gathering troops for the Civil War, and adopted a policy of no compromise with draft rioters.

Matthew T. Brennan, another signer on the check was originally a saloon keeper who used his Tammany connections to rise to police captain and then City Comptroller. Threatened with indictment and impeachment, and facing an uphill fight for re-nomination, he didn't seek another term, but would later serve as County Sheriff. Ironically, as Sheriff, having broken with Tweed, he arrested the former Mayor. 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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