Union Financier Jay Cooke Instructs His Agents Not [To] Let Sleep Close Your Eyes On The Last Day Of Selling His Five-Twenty Bonds

JAY COOKE (1821-1905). Cooke was an American financier and investment banker who helped to finance the Union effort during the Civil War.ALS. 1pg. January 21, 1864. 114 South Third Street, Philadelphia. An autograph letter signed Jay Cooke on his office letterhead. It is Civil War dated and addressed to members of his firm, Jay Cooke & Company. Let not sleep close your eyes or rest to the soles of your feet before you have read and acted upon this communication. It is too bad, outrageous. Please see the secty & get him to order these duplicates issued at once & report fully tomorrow. Yours truly Jay Cooke. Cooke likely refers to the five-twenty bonds his company sold on behalf of the United States Treasury to finance the Civil War. Their last date of sale corresponds with the date of this letter. The letter is in fine condition.