Jacob Thompson as Secretary of the Interior Signed Patent for Improved Mathematical Dividers (Calipers) January 5, 1858. Prior to 1849, US patents were handled by the State Department. But the establishment of the Department of Interior, transferred those duties. Jacob Thompson (1810-1885) was appointed by James Buchanan to be the fifth Secretary of the Interior, a post he held until the Civil War to which he resigned his position to be the Inspector General of the Confederate States and very much suspected to be the leader of The Confederate Secret Service organizing and executing plots against the Union. After the Civil War he escaped to England and then Canada, eventually returning to Memphis, Tennessee a wealthy man.Partially printed document that begins: Whereas John E. Earle of Leicester Mass. has alleged that he has invented a new and useful Improved Mathmatical Dividers .......... he does verily believe that he is the original and first inventor or discoverer of the said Dividers and that the same hath not to the best of his knowledge and belief been previously known or used. ................... In Testimony whereof I have caused these Letters to be made Patent and the Seal of the Patent Office has been herunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at the City of Washington, this 5th day of January, 1858. Documents are extremely legible but stiff which has caused two separations at fold lines. Jacob Thompson's signature is extremely clean and bold 19 x 15". Estimated Value $300 - 500
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