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Abraham Lincoln Signed Naval Commission....
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Description
Abraham Lincoln signed admiral's appointment
Abraham Lincoln Signed Naval Commission. One partially-printed vellum page, 13.75" x 16.5", Washington, January 9, 1863. A commission for Charles Stewart, appointed "Rear Admiral in the Navy, on the Retired List, from the 16th July 1862". Stewart was the former captain of the U.S.S. Constitution and a naval hero of the War of 1812. Signed by Lincoln as President at the conclusion, and countersigned by Gideon Welles as Secretary of the Navy. Naval commissions are far scarcer than traditional military appointments, the commission offered here is especially as it is issued to a rear admiral. Additionally, the commission was signed on January 9, 1863 and is the first commission signed on that date, making Stewart the first admiral in the United States Navy (David Farragut received the rank of rear admiral later on the same day, but Stewart was technically the first, and ranking admiral, in the navy due to seniority).Stewart was commissioned as a full lieutenant into the United States Navy in 1798. He served in the Quasi-war with France, the Barbary War, and the War of 1812, commanding the USS Constitution, USS Constellation, and USS Chesapeake. Stewart as, captain of the Constitution, captured two British warships, HMS Cyan and HMS Levant, as well as a British merchant ship in a single engagement off the coast of South America. He received a congressional gold medal for that action. In 1859, Commodore Stewart was named senior flag officer, the highest rank in the US Navy at the time. He retained that rank even after he went on the retired list in 1861. Although he was listed as "waiting orders" on the retired list in 1862, he was promoted as the senior admiral when the navy was reorganized and the rank of rear admiral was introduced in the U. S. Navy. In 1865, Rear Admiral Stewart served as a pallbearer for President Lincoln on the train from Washington to Springfield. Steward remained an officer on the retired list until his death at the age of 91 in 1869.
Stewart served every president from John Adams to Ulysses Grant, was the longest serving naval officer in U. S. history, was the United States Navy's first admiral, and is still holds the honor of being the oldest serving naval officer at 91 years.
The commission is matted and framed in a gilded frame to the overall size of 20.5" x 24.5".
Condition: Lightly toned, with minimal foxing at top edge, otherwise very good condition.
Auction Info
2017 October 19 Historical Manuscripts Grand Format Auction - Dallas #6182 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2017
19th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 13
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