Partly-printed DS as president, signed “Z. Taylor,” one page, 7.5 x 5.5, January 22, 1850. President Taylor directs the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to “a Full Power to David Tod, authorizing him to demand and receive from the Brazilian Government, the money due under the convention of 27th January last.” Signed boldly at the conclusion by Zachary Taylor. Affixed to a same-size mount and in fine condition. Any Taylor presidential document is quite uncommon, as he served only 16 months before he died suddenly on July 9, 1850.
The Brazilian-American Diplomacy - Claims Convention of January 27, 1849, sought to mollify tensions between Brazil and the United States over issues such as property rights, trade disputes, and compensation for damages suffered by American citizens in Brazil. To address these issues, Brazilian and American representatives negotiated the Claims Convention, which was signed in Rio de Janeiro. The treaty established a claims commission tasked with reviewing and adjudicating the various claims brought forward by American citizens against Brazil.
David Tod was an attorney and politician from Ohio who served as U.S. Minister to Brazil from 1847 to 1851. He served in that appointed position under Presidents James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, and Millard Fillmore. This 1850 document gave Tod the power to collect money due from Brazil under the 1849 convention. The one-time payment of $418,073 total was made to settle 25 private American claims against Brazil, mostly shipping-related, over a period of more than 20 years. Each payout ranged from $264 to $107,812. Most claimants were pleased with the outcome.
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