Presented is an original Ulysses S. Grant signed Presidential Appointment, dating to February 28, 1871. Signed during the first term of Grant's presidency, the document appoints "Robert W. Healy" to the role of "Marshal of the United States in and for the Southern District of Alabama." The appointment is countersigned by "Hamilton Fish" as Secretary of State.
The document is partially printed in formal script, and completed by hand in black ink. The document reads in full:
“ULYSSES S. GRANT,
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 Integrity, Ability, and Diligence of Robert W. Healy, I have Nominated, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, DO APPOINT HIM Marshal of the United States in & for the Southern District of Alabama; and do authorize & empower him to execute and fulfill the duties of that Office according to Law. And to hold and hold the said Office, with all the powers, privileges, and emoluments to the same of right appertaining, unto him, the said Robert W. Healy, for the term of four years from the day of the date hereof, subject to the conditions prescribed by law.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seat of the United States to be hereunto affixed.
GIVEN under my Hand, at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, the Twenty eighth day of February, in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy-one, & of the INDEPENDENCE of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA the Ninety-fifth.
By the President, U. S. Grant.
Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State.”
In 1865, as commanding general, Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Armies to victory over the Confederacy in the American Civil War. As an American hero, Grant was later elected the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877), working to implement Congressional reconstruction, remove the vestiges of slavery, and reform civil service.
Robert Wallace Healy (1830-1912) was a Civil War Brevet Brigadier General in the Union army. As a Notre Dame graduate, he served first as Major, then as Colonel and Commander of the 58th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was brevetted on March 13, 1865 for “faithful and meritorious services during the war”. After the war, Healy became interested in the southern cotton industry and moved to Alabama where he became a railroad purchasing agent. He served as the United States Marshal for the Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama from 1867 to 1877.
CONDITION:
Very good condition. 1p. partially printed, partially inscribed, Dated February 28, 1871. Signed “U. S. Grant” as President and “Hamilton Fish” as Secretary of State, both in black ink. An intact blind-embossed paper-covered seal at the bottom left. The document has flattened folds, with small separations at the edges. Top right corner creasing. Light foxing, minimal toning throughout. Minor areas of additional creasing. Boldly signed. The document measures 10 ¾” H x 15 ½” W.
Presented in an archival, custom-built frame with acid-free linen top mats, UV Conservation Clear glass, gold spandrels, and a black and gold wooden frame. Framed dimensions: 24 3/4” H x 39 5/8” W x 2” D.
Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.