Description:

Polk James

Thick cream waxed paper certificate measuring 14.25" x 17.625" and signed by 11th U.S. President James K. Polk and Secretary of War William L. Marcy. The President’s signature “James K. Polk” is complete with a scribbled flourish leading off from the “k” of “Polk” as well as a decorative underline; the Secretary of War signed the document “W. L. Marcy”. The document is handsomely illustrated with two large printed patriotic images. At top, a ferocious eagle brandishing arrows and olive branch bursts through lightning bolts, and at bottom, a military themed vignette of draped flags, cannons, helmets, drums, and other arms is depicted in war torn landscape (engravings credited to J.V.N. and C.H. Troop of Washington, City). At upper left, document is affixed with embossed War Office paper seal. Docketed in red pen extreme upper left and signed by Adjutant General R. Jones. In very fine condition with expected wear including fold marks. Area of light isolated pink discoloration lower left corner recto, and scattered foxing verso. Pencil inscribed number bottom left recto.

This document dated September 1, 1848 appoints John J. Peck to the rank of Major effective September 1, 1847 in acknowledgement of his “gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Molino del Rey”. John James Peck (1821-1878), the recipient of this promotion, had graduated five years prior from the United States Military Academy. Peck ranked among the top 25% of a graduating class that included future 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. War had been declared on Mexico in the spring of 1846. The Battle of Molino del Rey referenced in our document was one of the bloodiest battles of the Mexican War, waged in early September 1847, and laid the groundwork for the forthcoming American military occupation of Mexico City. The war had officially ended seven months before this document was signed in February 1848, when representatives signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Through cession and later sale, Mexico transferred around 900,000 square miles to their Northern neighbors.

James K. Polk (1795-1849), a lawyer, became involved in Tennessee state politics before his election as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1835. His surprise Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1844 preceded an active and successful one-term presidency that advocated for territorial expansion and conservative economic policies. Polk’s aggressive attitudes regarding territorial expansion precipitated, among other hit or near-miss foreign policy conflicts, the Mexican War (1846-1848). He took an especial interest in the military as they were his means to achieving territorial expansion. William L. Marcy (1786-1857) served in Polk’s cabinet as Secretary of War during his entire presidency.

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