Theodore Roosevelt Signed Presidential Appointment, Dated February 27, 1908

Presented is a Theodore Roosevelt signed Presidential Appointment of Otto C. Dowling to “Lieutenant on the Navy,” dated February 27, 1908. The appointment is countersigned by the Secretary of the Navy, Victor Metcalf. This Presidential appointment is a surviving testament to Roosevelt’s ambitious development and buildout of the United States Navy.

Theodore Roosevelt was responsible for creation of the modern United States Navy and its deployments to promote an ambitious foreign policy, in the Caribbean, Asia, and ultimately in Europe. During his time as President (1901-1909), Roosevelt worked with Congress and the service itself to increase the size, armament, efficiency, and overall capacity of the Navy and its vessels. 

Roosevelt deployed naval assets to cultivate American power. In 1903, Roosevelt sent naval vessels to ensure that Panama would secede from Colombia, thus paving the way for the realization of the Panama Canal.  Shortly thereafter, he earned a Nobel Peace Prize by successfully mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, with the skillful support of key Navy assets. Roosevelt’s deployments culminated in the tour of the Great White Fleet. Sixteen battleships of the Atlantic Fleet sailed around the world between December 1907 and February 1909. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries, all while trumpeting Roosevelt’s new U.S. Naval power and reach to the world. 

Otto C. Dowling (1881 –1946) graduated from the Naval Academy in 1903. He served during World War I, then as governor of American Samoa from April 17, 1934 to January 15, 1936. He was recalled during World War II, to command a naval ammunition depot on Iona Island in New York.

The presidential appointment is partially printed and partially inscribed. The document reads in full:

“Theodore Roosevelt

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, Valour, Fidelity and Abilities of Otto C. Dowling, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him a Lieutenant in the Navy from the [?] day of May 1907 in the service of the UNITED STATES. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duties of a Lieutenant by doing and performing all Manner of the Things thereto belonging. 

And I do strictly charge and require, all Officers, Seamen and Marines, under his Command to be obedient to his orders as a 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 his Superior Officer set over him, according to the Rules and Discipline of THE NAVY. 

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 Washington, this Twenty-first day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eight, and in the 132nd year of the Independence of the United States. 

By the President, Theodore Roosevelt.

V. H. Metcalf, Secretary of the Navy”

Prominently engraved at top is a stunning spread eagle, atop a rock amid the open seas. The eagle’s right talon clutches an olive branch. The eagle's left (sinister) talon holds a bundle of arrows. When Charles Thomson put together the final design for the Great Seal, the official description describes the bald eagle holding "in his sinister, a bundle of thirteen arrows." The thirteen arrows are tightly aligned – a symbol of "strength in unity" that can be found in traditional cultures everywhere, from the Romans to the Iroquois. In this case, the bundle is a nod to the unity of the original thirteen colonies. 

The document is further decorated with two vignettes at bottom. The first is an allegorical scene of a bare breasted Lady Liberty riding in Poseidon’s shell-shaped boat. Water nymphs and seahorses surround the boat as waves crash around them. Below this watery scene is a more patriotic vignette; a striking amassing of American flags, rifles, liberty cap, swords, drum, and horn rests on a grassy field. A blue War office seal is affixed at bottom center.

Paired with the appointment is a Theodore Roosevelt seated portrait. The black and white portrait is a print of a photograph taken on January 1, 1900.

CONDITION:

Partly-printed, partially-inscribed, 1p. folio parchment. Dated in Washington, February 27, 1908. A naval appointment of “Otto C. Dowling” to serve as “Lieutenant in the Navy.” Signed by Theodore Roosevelt, just past center right, in black ink, now faded to brown. Co-signed by Secretary of the Navy, Victor Metcalf, at center left. Parchment is lightly soiled and wrinkled, principally at top, with fold lines throughout. Stain on the bottom left corner, two smaller strains at top left. Otherwise, very good. Original blue seal affixed at bottom center. 

The Presidential appointment and portrait are artfully framed together in a custom-built frame with conservation museum glass, acid-free mats, and a gold leaf descriptive plaque. 

Framed Dimensions: 30 1/2" H x 41 1/4" W x 1 1/2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.