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Document 43244

ABRAHAM LINCOLN and WILLIAM H. SEWARD
Lincoln acknowledges consular appointment within the U.S. to distinguished German-American.
Partly Printed DS: "Abraham Lincoln" as 16th U.S. President and "William H. Seward" as Secretary of State, 1p, 14x12. Washington, 1862 November 10. In full: "Satisfactory evidence having been exhibited to me that Moritz von Baumbach of Milwaukee has been appointed Consul of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar for the State of Wisconsin; I do hereby recognize him as such; and declare him free to exercise and enjoy such functions, powers and privileges as are allowed to the Consuls of the most favored Nations in the United States." Consuls in America served as business agents of the governments by which they were accredited. They authorized bills of exchange and goods for export, arranged credits and issued visas for travelers. The consuls who served in Wisconsin encouraged trade between their homeland and the rapidly developing frontier. They also kept investors at home apprised of opportunities for making a profit in America. The development of the port of Milwaukee increased the responsibilities of the consuls in the area of trade and shipping. The vast majority of consuls in Milwaukee in the second half of the 19th century represented the various German kingdoms, principalities and duchies. The family of LUDWIG von BAUMBACH was the most important in the history of the consular operations in Milwaukee. Ludwig and his sons Moritz, Ernst and Louis served at various times as representatives for 15 different countries or states: Austria, Baden, Bavaria, Bohemia, the German Empire, Hesse, Hungary, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Nassau, Oldenburg, Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Meiningen, Saxe-Weimar, Saxony and Wurtemburg. Ludwig had come to Milwaukee from Ohio, where he had lived since emigrating from Germany in 1849. His son, MORITZ, President of the German Exchange Bank and an American citizen, was named Imperial German Consular Agent, a post he retained until his death in 1906. The document offered here, signed by President Lincoln on November 10, 1862, recognizes Moritz von Baumbach's appointment as Consul of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar for the State of Wisconsin. The Civil War brought additional responsibilities for consuls in Milwaukee. Consuls dealt with those residents who claimed exemption from the draft on the basis of citizenship in other nations. Seward served as Secretary of State throughout Lincoln's administration. Wrinkled at full paper seal, not affecting the signatures, else fine, clean condition. Framed in Gallery of History style: 31½x22.

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