KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT I, LEONARD [misspelled] MEYERS BEING ENTITLED TO PRIZE MONEY UNDER THE ACT OF CONGRESS, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO REGULATE PRIZE PROCEEDINGS, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZE MONEY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," APPROVED JUNE 30, 1864, AS A SEAMAN ON BOARD THE U.S. VESSEL ALABAMA BEING FOR CAPTURES MADE BY SAID VESSEL IN THE YEARS 1861-5, DO HEREBY APPOINT STILLMAN B. ALLEN, OF BOSTON, MASS., MY ATTORNEY, FOR ME AND IN MY NAME, TO DEMAND OF AND RECEIVE FROM THE PROPER OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES THE AMOUNT OF PRIZE MONEY WHICH MAY BE FOUND DUE ME FROM THE UNITED STATES... [signed] LEENDERT MEYER/ WE CERTIFY THAT THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THE FOREGOING POWER OF ATTORNEY IN OUR PRESENCE AT NORFOLK THIS FOURTH DAY OF MARCH, 1865, IS THE IDENTICAL PERSON NAMED HEREIN... [signed] A.R. LANGTHORNE, COMMANDING U.S.S. ALABAMA | EDWARD A. GIBSON, PAYMASTER, U.S.S. ALABAMA. [On verso: JOHN M. LINBERG, U.S.S. ALABAMA, SEAMAN, PRIZE MONEY. NOT ON FOR "SARAH", NOT ON FOR "NELLY", NOT ON FOR CATALINA, R

[Boston, 1865. Broadside, 7-1/2" x 9-1/2", docketed on verso. Printed form completed in ink manuscript. Signatures of Leendert Meyer, A.R. Hawthorne and Edward A. Gibson. Old folds [a few short splits at fold edges], light toning, three very small punch holes [no loss]. Very Good.
[offered with] KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT I, JOHN M. LINBERG... Identical form for another seaman from the U.S.S. Alabama, completed in manuscript. Old folds [a few splits, one repaired with archival tape on verso], minor light staining where something was spilled on it, three very small punch holes [two letters slightly affected]. Good+ to Very Good.

Prize laws authorized ship personnel to receive a portion of the value of goods seized from enemy ships. Pursuant to the Act of June 30, 1864, the goods of vessels legally seized by the U.S. Navy would be inventoried, appraised, and auctioned. The proceeds, after costs, would be distributed to the Government for disabled veterans, to squadron commanders, and the rest divided among officers and crew
Leendert Meyer, born about 1843 in Holland, enlisted in the Navy in New York on May 28, 1864. He is described as being 21 years old, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and a scar on his right wrist. John [Johan] M. Linberg, born about 1837 in Norway, enlisted in the Navy in New York on June 4, 1864. He was 27 years old, with brown hair, blue eyes and dark complexion.
A[mos] R. Langthorne [1832-1877], born in Nova Scotia, settled in Maine with his wife and became an American shipwright and mariner. He enlisted in the Navy in December 1861, was promoted to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant in January 1863. During his career he served as Master of the C.P. Williams of Porter's Mortor Flotilla, served with the Mississippi Squadron, was the first commander of the U.S.S. Rattler, was Acting Volunteer Lieutenant and commander of U.S.S. "Mound City," and participated as commander of the U.S.S. Alabama during the attack on Fort Fischer. [Smith, Myron J., Jr.: IRONCLAD CAPTAINS OF THE CIVIL WAR, McFarland: 2018, pp. 122-123.]
Edward R. Gibson was Acting Assistant Paymaster of the U.S.S. Alabama [3d rate]. [REGISTER OF THE COMMISSIONED, WARRANT AND VOLUNTEER OFFICERS OF THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES, Washington: 1865, p.244.]
Stillman B. Allen [1830-1891] was born and educated in Maine and admitted to the state's bar in 1853. He moved to Boston in 1861. Allen was a trial attorney with a reputation for winning the largest verdicts against railroads and corporations in the country.