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Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 18.75 x 15.75, December 14, 1855. President Pierce appoints William M. Merrick "to be Assistant Judge of the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Columbia." Boldly signed at the conclusion in ink by President Franklin Pierce and countersigned by Secretary of State William L. Marcy. The white paper seal affixed at the lower left remains intact. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Judge William M. Merrick is best known for his role in the case of United States ex rel. Murphy v. Porter during the Civil War, in which he issued a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of an underage Union soldier, releasing him from duty. This decision conflicted with military authorities and President Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus, leading to accusations of disloyalty and Merrick being placed under house arrest. In the aftermath of the case, on March 3, 1863, Congress abolished the circuit court, district court, and criminal court of the District of Columbia—thereby terminating Merrick's service—and replaced them with the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Years later, Merrick would return to the federal judiciary, appointed in 1885 by Grover Cleveland to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.
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