Partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 15.5 x 18, February 3, 1848. President Polk appoints Romeyn B. Ayres as “Second Lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, in the service of the United States.” Boldly signed at the conclusion by Polk and countersigned by Secretary of War William L. Marcy. The white paper seal affixed to the upper left remains fully intact. In very good condition, with intersecting folds (one vertical fold passing through a single letter of the signature), light overall staining, and three punch holes to left edge. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA. President Polk is remembered for leading the nation to a sweeping victory in the Mexican-American War, which came to an end just a day earlier with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2. Ayres had graduated from the US Military Academy in 1847 and served garrison duty in Puebla and Mexico City, never seeing action in the conflict. However, he went on to command troops during the Civil War and saw action at Gettysburg.
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