Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 10.25 x 7, December 11, 1841. Tyler appoints William Bennett “a Sail Maker in the Navy of the United States.” Signed at the conclusion in ink by Tyler and countersigned by Secretary of the Navy Abel Upshur. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, moderate overall wrinkling and creasing, scattered faint stains, and toning to corners from mounting remnants on reverse. Apparently a seal was never affixed to this particular document, although a circular placeholder has been provided for one.
The offered appointment came at a time when Tyler was reorganizing US Naval forces. The impetus was a November revolt aboard the slave ship Creole, which then sailed to Nassau in the British Bahamas, where the slaves were there granted freedom. With southern states outraged at the loss of their “property,” Tyler asked the US Congress to approve $2.2 million in spending to improve the Navy and ward off future such incidents. Abolitionists criticized Tyler’s plan—or at least the motivation behind it—with at least one abolitionist referring to the president as “an imbecile.” This unusual appointment is a reminder of a most tumultuous period in US naval history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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