Description:

Caleb Strong, Gov. of Massachusetts, Signed 1812 Militia Commission

1p, measuring 15" x 9.5", Massachusetts, dated July 14, 1812. A militia commission signed "Caleb Strong" and countersigned "Alden Bradford" as Secretary of the Commonwealth. Reading in part: "To Thomas Reed White…You being elected…to be a Captain of a Company in the Third Regiment of Infantry in the First Brigade, and twelfth Division of the Militia of this Commonwealth…I do, by these Presents, Commission you accordingly…" With a white paper seal at the upper left corner. On verso is a certification by Major George Rogers dated August 31, 1812. The document has flattened folds with light uneven toning and foxing throughout. Minor edge chipping and small tears. Boldly signed by Strong.

Caleb Strong (1745-1819) served as the sixth and tenth governor of Massachusetts, from 1800-1807 and 1812-1816. When the War of 1812 broke out, Strong stood in opposition to the conflict, believing that the federal government's war impeded the rights of the states and individuals. He believed that a militia was unnecessary because an invasion by the British was not imminent. Strong also believed that the state militia should not be called upon except in defense of the state's borders. Because of his stance, Massachusetts was denied a shipment of arms that was instead diverted to frontier areas and other theaters of the war. After rejecting U.S. Army General Henry Dearborn's request for troops, Strong finally authorized the dispatch of militia companies to the state's eastern border (now Maine) in late 1812.

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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