Senator James Murray Mason's Dispatch Case and Traveling Desk
James Murray Mason (1798-1871) descended from a prominent and distinguished family in Virginia. By training he became a lawyer, and he was elected to the house and to the Senate. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he became a member of the Confederate Congress. Along with John Slidell, he was sent to France as a diplomat. In that instance he was seized by the Union aboard the British ship, the Trent, which created a major international incident. Based on the sympathy provided by Great Britain, Mason was then assigned as the Confederate diplomat to England. This case and desk has descended directly in the family from James Murray Mason to the present owner.
The overall construction of the piece is wood, sheathed with paper and then covered with embossed and fitted leather. The inset plaque in the top is engraved, ""James M. Mason, Virginia, Confederate States of America, From Alexander Collie, 1864 London."" Embossed in the leather is, ""James M. Mason."" The top hinged section lifts by way of the second section and the base is fixed. The central cartouche on the first is section is embossed, gilted and marked, ""Dispatch & Registered No. 3395, Writing Case, Toulmin & Gale, Sise Lane City & New Bond Street London."" When opened, the lower desk has a removable back tray for writing implements. The middle section, which is angled, folds down to make a writing desk area. The underside of the top appears to be lined with green moire silk and leather. There is a brass and rosewood, spring-loaded locking device. The bottom is covered with what appears to be brown moire silk as well. The overall condition is ranging from good and fair to poor and deteriorated. There is considerable wear and missing leather.
There is little information available in American references about Alexander Collie. What is known is that Alexander Collie was the owner of Alexander Collie and Company, a shipping firm based in Manchester, England, during the Civil War. He provided not only the shipping, by blockade-running, of stores of clothing, ordinance, and medical supplies, but also sold to the Confederate States of America a blockade running ship, the steamer Giraffe, which was re-christened the Robert E. Lee, manned by Lt. John Wilkinson.
Measurements closed: 7 ¼""h x 18"" w x 12"" d
Measurements opened: 7 ¼"" h x 18"" w x 19 7/8"" d
Measurements closed: 7 ¼""h x 18"" w x 12"" d, Measurements opened: 7 ¼"" h x 18"" w x 19 7/8"" d