January 13, 1861

Before he became the governor of South Carolina and started threatening war with the United States, Francis Pickens had been the U.S. Minister to Russia.  On Sunday, January 13, 1861, Pickens submitted a bill to the U.S. government for $3000 in travel expenses he had incurred in the performance of his duties.  Washington sent him a draft (a check) drawn on the Treasury office in Charleston, which had already been taken over by the state.