Partly-printed DS as president, signed “R. B. Hayes,” one page, 19 x 14.5, February 19, 1878. President Hayes appoints George C. Richardson, “on his nomination by the Governor of the State of Massachusetts” as an “honorary Commissioner to the International Industrial Exposition to be held in Paris.” Signed neatly at the conclusion by Rutherford B. Hayes, and countersigned by Secretary of State William M. Evarts. The embossed seal remains affixed to the left side. In very good to fine condition, with archival tape repair to complete separation along the upper horizontal fold.
The Parisian ‘International Industrial Exposition’ was undoubtedly the 1878 Paris Exposition or Paris World’s Fair. Its ‘Industrial’ modifier is due to how Paris and other world expositions served as platforms for state-of-the-art science and technology from around the world. Per President Hayes in his second annual message on December 2, 1878: ‘The Universal Exposition held at Paris during the past summer has been attended by large numbers of our citizens. The brief period allowed for the preparation and arrangement of the contributions of our citizens to this great exposition was well employed in energetic and judicious efforts to overcome this disadvantage. These efforts, led and directed by the commissioner-general, were remarkably successful, and the exhibition of the products of American industry was creditable and gratifying in scope and character. The reports of the United States commissioners, giving its results in detail, will be duly laid before you. Our participation in this international competition for the favor and the trade of the world may be expected to produce useful and important results — in promoting intercourse, friendship, and commerce with other nations.’
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