Partly-printed DS as president, signed “Benj. Harrison,” one page, 8 x 10, April 5, 1889. President Harrison directs the Secretary of State to “cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to “two (2) envelopes containing my letters of recall and credence addressed to Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of Great Britain +c. 1. Recall of Edward J. Phelps. 2. Credence of Robert Todd Lincoln.” Signed neatly at the conclusion by Benjamin Harrison. In fine condition.
This document pertains to the end of diplomat Edward John Phelps’ tenure as the United States Minister to the United Kingdom, a position that was assumed by former Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln on May 25, 1889. Phelps (1822–1900), a lawyer from Vermont who co-founded and served as the president of the American Bar Association, was praised for his work as envoy to the Court of St. James, which focused on restoring the cordial relationship the two countries had enjoyed before the American Civil War. His efforts were continued by his immediate successor, Robert Todd Lincoln, the eldest son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln.
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