Partly-printed vellum DS, one page, 13.25 x 17.5, September 13, 1885. An appointment of Benjamin Alvord, "who served in Mexico as Major 4th U. S. Infantry has been duly elected member of said Aztec Club of 1847." Signed at the bottom by the club's constitutional officers of the club, with Winfield Hancock signing as the club's president and U. S. Grant signing as vice president. In very good condition, with scattered somewhat irregular toning, some foxing, moderate wrinkling, and light creasing.
The Aztec Club of 1847 was founded by United States Army officers of the Mexican-American War, but it still exists as a hereditary organization including members who can trace a lineal connection to those originally eligible. In November 1868, Grant, an original member of the Aztec Club who served as a junior officer in the war between 1846 and 1848, was elected president of the United States, the third member to do so. At President Grant's offer, the organization's 1874 annual meeting was held at the White House. Grant continued his association with the club in post-presidency and was acting as its vice president when he died on July 23, 1885. Though the membership granted Major Alvord came nearly four months after Grant's passing, the club officers clearly signed numerous blank forms in advance in an effort to streamline the electoral process.
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