Description:

Pierce Franklin



President Franklin Pierce Signed Naval Appointment

 

1p naval appointment signed by sitting President Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) as "Franklin Pierce" at lower right. Signed in Washington, D.C. on May 4, 1855. Partly printed and partly handwritten on vellum. Also signed by Charles W. Welsh, Acting Secretary of the Navy, at lower left. With two lovely patriotic vignettes, one at top depicting a Bald Eagle flanked by ships, and another of military accoutrements at bottom bearing a bright orange embossed seal. Expected folds, else near fine. 12.5" x 14.75".

 

In part:

 

"The President of the United States of America,

 

To all who shall see these Presents,

 

Greeting:

 

Know Ye that, reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity and Abilities of William D. Whiting, I do appoint him a Master (in the line of promotion) in the Navy of the United States, from the 1st of May 1855.

 

He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge all the duties of a Master, and I do strictly charge and require all Officers, Seamen and others under his Command, to be obedient to his Orders.

 

And he is to obey the Orders and Directions which he shall receive from the President of the United States, or his Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of the Navy. This Warrant is to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States.

 

Given under my hand at the City of Washington, this Fourth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Five and in the Seventy Ninth year of the Independence of the United States.

 

[signed] Franklin Pierce."

 

President Pierce's promotion of William D. Whiting (1823-1894) in the spring of 1855 presaged the success of the officer's 40-year-long naval career.

 

Whiting had entering the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in 1841. After gaining this on-the-job experience, Whiting entered and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1848. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant just four months after this promotion, in September 1855. Whiting served faithfully during the Civil War, where he was part of the South Atlantic blockade, participated in the attack of Charleston's defenses, and was stationed in the Eastern Gulf. He was promoted to Captain in 1872 and commanded the U.S.S. Worcester, the North Atlantic Squadron flagship, between 1871-1875. In 1878, Whiting finally attained the rank of Commodore. He retired three years later due to blindness and other health problems incurred in the line of duty. A special Act of Congress passed on April 1, 1882 (see photocopy included within this lot) enabled Whiting to keep his rank and receive retirement pay.

 



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