Lot 244
Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) 9th President of the United States (1841). Partly printed DS ("W H Harrison") as President, 1p, 10" x 15¾", Washington, 1841 March 25. Countersigned by Secretary of State Daniel Webster ("Danl Webster"). Two days before he became bedridden and ten days before his death, President William Henry Harrison appoints Thomas B. Johnson "Marshal of the United States for the Territory of Iowa." The document is expertly and imperceptibly reinforced on verso; some toning, mostly along edges and folds, and there are a couple of tiny, almost pin-prick, areas of paper loss along folds, one at the top of the document in the title, affecting the first "r" in "Harrison," but not touching the fine signature, which is clear and dark. Webster's signature is a little light, but legible, and the Presidential Seal at lower left is intact and in fine condition.
Ironically, President John Tyler, who became President upon Harrison's death, had to renominate Johnson on June 17, 1841 because this March 25, 1841 appointment was made during a congressional recess and was never approved by the U.S. Senate, as required by the Constitution. The Senate had adjourned sine die (without definitely fixing a day for reconvening), on March 15, 1841, so President Harrison's appointments after that date had to be resubmitted by President Tyler in 1843.
The Daniel Webster Collection at Brandeis University contains ten letters from February 4-March 23, 1841 to Secretary of State Webster recommending Johnson to be appointed Marshal of Iowa, the last one being from Johnson himself! Two dates later, President Harrison named him U.S. Marshal for the Iowa Territory. The "Journal of the House of Representatives" records that on May 27, 1850, Indiana Congressman William J. Brown presented "The petition of Thomas B. Johnson, praying compensation for services rendered by him as marshal of Iowa," leading one to suppose that Johnson was never paid for his two years as U.S. Marshal.
William Henry Harrison came from a famous family. His father, Benjamin, was Governor of Virginia and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence; his grandson, Benjamin, would become the 23rd President of the United States. W. H. Harrison died at the age of 69 and was a fairly prolific writer throughout his life, so many of his letters and documents prior to the presidency were saved; however, while there are documents signed by Harrison as President in the National Archives, only a few are known to exist in private hands. William Henry Harrison is the rarest of all Presidential signatures.
Estimated Value $60,000 - 70,000.
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| Realized $69,000 |
