32

1869 President ANDREW JOHNSON Signed Executive Mansion Manuscript Appointment

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:2,400.00 - 2,800.00 USD
1869 President ANDREW JOHNSON Signed Executive Mansion Manuscript Appointment
Autographs
1869 President “Andrew Johnson” Signed Rare “Executive Mansion” Manuscript Official Appointment Document
ANDREW JOHNSON (1808-1875). 17th President of the United States (1865-1869), became President as the Vice President in office at the time of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth, in office April 15, 1865 to March 4, 1869.
February 3, 1869-Dated Manuscript Document Signed, “Andrew Johnson” as President, 1 page, measuring 8” x 9.75”, at Washington, D.C., Very Choice Extremely Fine. Written on extremely rare light blue lined wove paper “Executive Mansion” official letterhead, dated only about a month prior to Johnson leaving the Presidency after he was Impeached by the House of Representatives, and narrowly avoided conviction in the Senate and removal from office. This Document reads, in full:

“Executive Mansion - Washington, D.C. - Feby. 3, 1869 --- The Honorable the Secretary of War will please send to the President nominations for the appointment, as Paymasters, of David Taylor, of Ohio, vice Pomeroy, deceased, and Frank Bridgeman, of Iowa, vice Leslie, retired. -- (Signed) Andrew Johnson”.

The signature, “Andrew Johnson” as President is vivid and bold, measuring a very large 3” long. An impressive, very rare “Executive Mansion” format written one month and one day prior to Johnson leaving office after his Impeachment, that is excellent for display.
President Andrew Johnson implemented his own form of Presidential Reconstruction – a series of proclamations directing the seceded states to hold conventions and elections to re-form their civil governments.

When Southern states returned many of their old leaders, and passed Black Codes to deprive the freedmen of many civil liberties, Congressional Republicans refused to seat legislators from those states and advanced legislation to overrule the Southern actions. Johnson vetoed their bills, and Congressional Republicans overrode him, setting a pattern for the remainder of his presidency. Johnson also opposed the Fourteenth Amendment, which gave citizenship to former slaves.

In 1866, Johnson went on an unprecedented national tour promoting his executive policies, seeking to destroy his Republican opponents. As the conflict between the branches of government grew, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, restricting Johnson's ability to fire Cabinet officials. When he persisted in trying to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, he was impeached by the House of Representatives, and narrowly avoided conviction in the Senate and removal from office.

Returning to Tennessee after his presidency, Johnson sought political vindication and gained it in his eyes when he was elected to the Senate again in 1875 (the only former president to serve there), just months before his death. Johnson is regarded by many historians as one of the worst presidents in American history. While some admire his strict constitutionalism, his strong opposition to federally guaranteed rights for African Americans is widely criticized.