Description:

James G. Blaine Boldly Signed State Department Appointment Less Than 3 Weeks Before Resignation from Arthur Cabinet

A 1p manuscript document boldly signed by 28th U.S. Secretary of State James G. Blaine (1830-1893), in the waning days of his first tenure as Secretary, as "James G Blaine" at lower right. The large signature, including the decisive, double-hatch marked paraph, measures approximately 6.25" x 1.875" alone. December 1, 1881. Washington, D.C. Secretarially inscribed on a leaf of laid watermarked paper. Expected wear including flattened folds, isolated stains and scuffs, and a minor edge chip at right. Mounting traces found verso. Probably once bifold. Else near fine. 8.375" x 10."

Secretary of State James G. Blaine appointed "Edmund J. Moffat, of New York, to be a Clerk in the Department of State of the United States, during the pleasure of the Secretary of State, with a salary at the rate of nine hundred dollars per annum'" Blaine, who was an influential adviser of assassinated president James A. Garfield, tendered his resignation from the cabinet of Chester A. Arthur in mid-October 1881. He agreed to remain at his post until December 19, 1881, when his successor Frederick T. Frelinghuysen assumed the role.

James G. Blaine served as Secretary of State during three separate presidential administrations, that of James A. Garfield (March - September 1881); Chester A. Arthur (September - December 1881); and Benjamin Harrison (March 1889 - June 1892.)

In 1881, Edmund J. Moffat of New York was one of 40+ clerks working for the Department of State, as can be seen by consulting the "Official Register of the United States Containing a List of Officers and Employ's in the Civil, Military, and Naval Servic'" (Vol. 1, July 1881). He later rose through the ranks to become a special statistical agent of the U.S. Consul General in London, reporting regularly on European crop production. He served as U.S. Deputy Consul General in London after 1884.

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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