Madison, James: [War of 1812]:

$2,500 · Offered by William Reese Company · No longer available

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING.... A War of 1812-era presidential appointment signed in ink by President James Madison and by Secretary of War John Armstrong. Here Madison appoints Maryland attorney James Sewall Morsell to the position of Judge Advocate of the Militia of the District of Columbia. In addition, Morsell has fully endorsed and docketed the document on the verso, pledging to "carefully & diligently perform the duties of a Judge Advocate...to the best of my Skill & Judgement and that I will support the Constitution of the United States." Morsell would serve as a Judge Advocate for almost two years. From January 15, 1815 until March 3, 1863 he would serve as a circuit court judge in the District of Columbia. Earlier in his career and during his years in private practice, Morsell represented numerous African-American families who petitioned for freedom in the nation's capital. Judge Morsell passed away in Maryland in 1870.

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