Lincoln, Abraham (1809-65) 16th President of the United States (1861-65). Partly-printed Document Signed as President, vellum, 19 x 15½ in., Washington, June 11, 1862. Appointing Edward Bellows "Assistant Paymaster in the Navy." Countersigned by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. With white Navy Department seal. Normal folds, one of which passes vertically between the "a" and "m" in "Abraham." Matted with an engraving of Lincoln and his Cabinet and framed to an overall size of 29½ x 33 in. Fine condition and ready for display.
During the Civil War, Edward Bellows was an officer on the USS Osceola, which supported Grant's offensive against Richmond and was involved in the attack on Ft. Fisher. In 1868, while serving on the US steamer Shamokin in Montevideo, Uruguay, Bellows was court-martialed by order of Rear-Admiral C.H. Davis for defrauding the government of $909.68. Bellows was sentenced to repay the money and to be dismissed from the service. On January 28, 1869, Gideon Welles wrote to Bellows to tell him that he was dismissed from the Navy and "will from this date cease to be regarded as an officer in the United States Navy." On January 22, 1880, after numerous petitions from Bellows and an examination of the case by the Attorney General, the President, through the Secretary of the Navy, issued an order declaring Bellows' dismissal illegal and void and restoring Bellows to the list of Paymasters on the Naval Register.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
U.S. Presidents and First Ladies
