Ulysses S. Grant Signed Presidential Appointment, Dated March 25, 1873, Appointing Bradford T. Simmons as Deputy Postmaster of Johnstown, New York

Presented is an original Ulysses S. Grant signed Presidential Appointment, dating to March 25, 1873. Signed at the start of the second term of Grant's presidency, the document appoints "Bradford T Simmons" to the role of "Deputy Postmaster of Johnstown, New York." The appointment is crisply signed at the bottom by President Grant and countersigned by his Secretary of State Hamilton Fish. An original white paper Seal of the United States is affixed to the bottom left corner of the appointment. 

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 to whom shall see these Presents, Greeting: 

Know ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the Intelligence, Ability, and Punctuality of Bradford T. Simmons, I have nominated, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Deputy Postmaster at Johnstown, in the State of New York, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfill the duties of that Office according to law; and to have and to hold the said Office, with all the powers, privileges, and emoluments to the same of right appertaining unto him, the said Bradford T. Simmons, 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 Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. 

Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the Twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the Ninety-seventh. 

BY THE PRESIDENT: U. S. Grant.

Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State.”

Born in Ohio in 1822 and educated at West Point, Ulysses S. Grant served with distinction during the Mexican-American War. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he returned to military service and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his strategic aggressiveness and ability to coordinate large-scale operations. His victories at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga established him as one of the Union’s most capable commanders, and in 1864 President Lincoln elevated him to General-in-Chief of the United States Army. Grant’s campaigns against Robert E. Lee culminated in the surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. 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.

CONDITION:

Very good condition. 1p. Oblong sheet, partially printed, partially inscribed, Washington, D. C. Dated March 25, 1873. Signed “U. S. Grant” as President and counter-signed “Hamilton Fish” as Secretary of State, both in black ink. Boldly and crisply signed. Original intact blind-embossed white seal is adhered at the bottom left. Creasing, from intersecting folds. Mat burn around edges, not affecting text or signatures. Moderately toned

The document is framed in an archival, custom-built frame with acid-free top mats, UV Conservation Clear glass, gold spandrels, and a black and gold wooden frame. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.