Description:

Benjamin Harrison
Washington, D.C., December 8, 1892
Benjamin Harrison DS Appointing Consul to Chihuahua, Mexico During Porfiriato! Important
PPDS

A consular appointment boldly signed by 23rd U.S. President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), as "Benj Harrison" at lower right. December 8, 1892. Washington, D.C. Co-signed by U.S. Secretary of State John W. Foster (1836-1917) as "John W. Foster" at lower left. The 1p partly printed and partly manuscript document is on watermarked paper, with a large blind-embossed presidential seal located near the bottom left corner. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, at least one with a minor closed edge tear, and a few extra wrinkles. Light even toning, with a few stray scuffs recto, and scattered pencil inscriptions verso. Else very good to near fine. Fully unfolded measures 19.75" x 14.375." Provenance: James Smalldon, 1962.

The document appointed "William Heimke, of Kansas" as U.S. Consul to Chihuahua, the large northern central state of Mexico which then bordered lengthy sections of Texas and New Mexico Territory.

"Know ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the abilities and integrity of William Heimke, of Kansas, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Consul of the United States of America, at Chihuahua…"

William Heimke (1847-1931) had extensive experience working in Mexico. According to his obituary in an August 1931 issue of "The American Foreign Service Journal," the French-born Heimke pursued a career in international business after graduating from West Point in 1875. In the early 1880s, Heimke had worked as the purchasing and importing agent at the Mexican Central Railway, and also as the general manager of the Chihuahua and Durango telephone companies. Heimke's considerable success as a foreigner working in Mexico at this time was only possible under the conditions of the Porfiriato. This was a term developed by one Mexican historian to describe the military dictatorship of Mexican president Porfirio Diaz (1884-1911). Authoritarianism aside, the Porfiriato nevertheless granted Mexico a sustained period of political stability. Diaz carefully cultivated a flourishing economy which welcomed foreign business and investment.

Heimke completed over 25 years of diplomatic service before his retirement in 1915. Between his first appointment as Vice Consul at Chihuahua in 1887, and his last role as Chief of Division of Latin American Affairs in the State Department in 1914, Heimke served as Second Secretary of the Legation at Mexico City and at Bogota, and as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Guatemala and El Salvador. By the end of his career, Heimke was an invaluable resource for understanding Mexican, Central, and South American affairs both before and after the Mexican Revolution.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 19.75" x 14.375" fully extended; folded size about 10" x 7"
  • Medium: PPDS

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