Rare partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 11 x 8, September 26, 1849. President Taylor appoints Edward C. Grafton as “a Passed Midshipman in the Navy of the United States.” Signed boldly at the conclusion by Zachary Taylor and countersigned by Secretary of the Navy William B. Preston. In fine condition. Given his short 16-month tenure in the White House, presidential appointments signed by Taylor are especially scarce.
After his commission to passed midshipman, Boston native Edward C. Grafton earned a series of appointments during his naval career. When the Confederate ram CSS Virginia (USS Merrimack) attempted to raise the blockade during the Battle of Hampton Roads, Lieutenant Grafton played an active part as a flag officer of the frigate Minnesota, then lying near the mouth of the James River. On being commissioned lieutenant commander, he was placed in command of the steam gun-boat Genesee and participated in the bombardment of Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay. Grafton was in command of the ‘Gettysburg’ of the North Atlantic squadron in 1866 and was promoted to commander before retiring from service on January 18, 1871.
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