JAMES MADISON Partly printed Document Signed as President 4

Sale 2492 - Lot 250

Price Realized: $ 845

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Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

JAMES MADISON. Partly-printed Document Signed, as President, 4-language ship's papers for the brig Pilot. Lacking countersignature (written by secretary in place of signature: "The office of Secretary of State vacant at the signing by the President"). 16 1/4x20 1/2 inches; remnants of prior mounting along all edges verso with bleedthrough staining recto, marginal discoloration from prior matting, docketing verso with minor bleedthrough touching signature, folds, two paper seals intact, bold signature. [Washington], 30 March 1809

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On March 6, 1809, James Madison assumed the presidency; on the same day, he appointed Robert Smith to be Secretary of State. Not everyone in the Madison administration was keen on Smith's appointment, including Madison himself, who preferred Albert Gallatin, settling on Smith for the sake of political harmony. It is unknown whether Smith's unavailability to sign the present document was due to some reluctance on the part of one or more of the men involved, or to some other reason.