1820 MILITARY APPOINTMENT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE AND SECRETARY OF WAR JOHN C. CALHOUN
MONROE, JAMES. (1758-1831). President of the United States. Partially Printed Document Signed, “James Monroe,” as President. One page, vellum, oblong folio. Washington, D.C. July 10, 1820. Countersigned by J[OHN] C. CALHOUN, as Secretary of War. With paper wafer red wax seal of the UNITED STATES WAR OFFICE affixed at lower left. The document reads:
“The President of the United States of America, To all who shall see these presents greeting: Know ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Walter SmithI have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint him a First Lieutenant in the Regiment of light Artillery in the Army in the service of the United States to rank as such from the fifth day of June eighteen hundred and nineteen. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a First Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of thins thereunto belonging. And I do strictly discharge and require all Officers and Soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as a First Lieutenant. And he is to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future President of the United States of America, or the General, or other superior Officers to him, according to the rules and discipline of War. This Commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States, for the time being. Given under my hand at the City of Washington, this Tenth day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and in the forty fifth year of the Independence of the United States, James Monroe. By the President J.C. Calhoun Secretary of War.”
This format of military appointment is rather uncommon and the combination of Monroe and Calhoun just makes it a highly desirable addition of any collection of historic autographs.
$1500.00
