1866 Texas Special Treasury Warrant – Robards & Royston (both removed by US)

Description

1866 Texas Special Treasury Warrant – Robards & Royston (both removed by US)
Offered for your consideration is a post-war Texas treasury warrant, signed by two individuals removed from office by Federal authorities. Headlined “
Special Treasury Warrant
.”, this document states that “
THE TRESAURER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS / Will pay to the Order of
M. H. Royston, One hundred and thirty 15/100 (Specie)
Dollars, it being for
the purchase of currency to pay salary of Comm. of Public Instruction
and charge the same to account of Special Deposit.
of school
Fund
”. This warrant was issued from the “
COMPTROLLER’S
OFFICE, AUSTIN
” on “
Decr 15,
186
6
” and was signed at the conclusion by “
M H Royston
,” and “
W. L. Robards
” in their capacities as “
Treas’r
” and “
Compt’r
”, respectively. All of the foregoing material is enclosed on three sides by a decorative border, significantly larger and of a different design at the left. The back was originally blank, though it now bears the signature of “
M H Royston
” in his capacity as “
Tr.
” (Treasurer). What makes this piece particularly interesting is the fact the both of the signers were removed from office by the Federal authorities after the war (both had served as Confederate officers during the recently completed Civil War). It is also interesting to note that the reason for the warrant was to purchase currency (greenbacks) with specie. Very interesting document which would frame nicely with portraits of the two signers.
Willis L. Robards
was apparently born in 1818 in North Carolina, though the exact date does not seem to be listed in the records. He subsequently moved to Mississippi, where he was admitted to the bar. He moved to Texas in 1853 and practiced law in Austin until the outbreak of the Civil War. Though opposed to secession, Robards joined the Confederate Army in 1862, serving as a major under General Henry H. Sibley and later on the staff of General Thomas Green during the Louisiana Campaign. He was wounded at the battle of Valverde and ended the war with the rank of colonel. According to one source, Robards was elected comptroller of public accounts in 1866 (though this warrant is dated 1865) and removed from office by order of General Philip H. Sheridan the following year. Willis L. Robards died on December 13, 1872 in Austin, Texas.
Mart H. Royston
was apparently born in Alabama in 1831, though the exact date does not seem to be listed in the records. The date of his movement to Texas is also not listed, but at the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the 8
th
Texas Cavalry, popularly known as “Terry’s Texas Rangers” and was selected regimental adjutant. Advanced to major, Royston was appointed assistant adjutant general to John A. Wharton on November 10, 1863, a position he apparently held to the close of the war. He was elected Texas state treasurer on June 25, 1866, but was soon after removed by Major General Charles Griffin. He moved to Galveston and served as a clerk of the district criminal court until his death in 1890.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of expected period use, followed by less than ideal long-term storage. Light toning is noted across the entire surface, imparting a somewhat dull blue appearance to the paper. Two vertical toning lines can be seen near the center, with a slightly lighter one to the left. Minor fading can be seen on the manuscript additions, though both of Royston’s signatures are sharp and bold. Several small holes can be seen at the upper right, though only one affects any of the text. The edges are ragged and irregular, with the top and left being cut into the decorative border. Several folds are noted, commensurate with the original usage of the document. Printed in black ink on blue paper, this interesting document measures approximately 3⅜ x 7⅛ inches and would make a great addition to any Civil War era Texas collection.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA