Mississippi politician (1810-1885) who served as Secretary of the Interior, resigning on the outbreak of the Civil War to become Inspector General of the Confederate States Army; he is thought to have led the Confederate Secret Service and is suspected of meeting with John Wilkes Booth. Partly-printed DS, one page, 14.75 x 19, October 6, 1857. Patent issued to William T. Clement for "improvement in mode of attaching scythes to snaths," signed at the conclusion by Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson and countersigned by Commissioner of Patents Joseph Holt, who would go on to serve as Secretary of War and chief prosecutor in the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators. Annexed to the document are an original drawing diagramming the invention, and Clement's detailed description. The green seal and yellow ribbon to the left side remain intact. In very good to fine condition, with light soiling and ribbon-related toning to the first page, and some edge tears to the second page. An interesting patent associated with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and its aftermath.
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