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Document 33087

FRANKLIN PIERCE and JEFFERSON DAVIS
Light infantry appointment later cancelled due to lack of qualifications.
Partly Printed DS: "Franklin Pierce" as 14th U.S. President and "Jeffer Davis" as Secretary of War, 1p, 15¼x12½. Washington, 1855 January 4. In part: "Know Ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of John J. Mulloy I do by these presents appoint him, the said First Lieutenant of Light Infantry in the First Regiment of Third Brigade of the Militia of the District of Columbia: He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of First Lieutenant...." On verso is a Manuscript NS: "R.C. Weightman" as Brigadier General commanding 3rd Brigade, written 14 months later, 1856 March 10. In full: "John J. Mulloy not having qualified as a first lieutenant according to law this commission is returned to the Office of the Adjutant General to be cancelled and his name taken from the Register of Officers." FRANKLIN PIERCE, known for his pro-slavery views and friends, named Mississippian JEFFERSON DAVIS as his Secretary of War on March 7, 1853. Pierce, a Northerner with Southern principles, tried to quell mounting states rivalry with Davis' appointment. Pierce gave great latitude in policy-making to Davis. The extensive territories acquired during the Mexican War (1846-1848) increased the U.S. Army's responsibilities. As a result, its peacetime strength rose to a force of 17,678 officers and men by 1858. During his four years of running the War Department, Davis proposed the use of camels in the service on the western plains and introduced an improved system of infantry tactics, iron gun carriages, rifled muskets and pistols and the use of the Minie ball. Davis, who returned to the U.S. Senate in 1857, resigned in 1861 when Mississippi seceded from the Union. On February 18, 1861, he became President of the Confederate States of America. ROGER C. WEIGHTMAN was an officer of the cavalry in the War of 1812 and became Brigadier General of the militia of the District of Columbia. From 1824-1827, he was Mayor of Washington, D.C. U.S. presidential documents signed by the future Confederate President are extremely desirable. 1¾-inch diameter seal affixed with red wax at lower left. Lightly creased and yellowed. Separated at mid-vertical fold, but inexpertly repaired on verso with tape, no show through.

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