Document Signed by President William McKinley Close to His Assassination

August 22, 1901

Add to History Board Share Print
Back to The Collection
Manuscript
See full images and transcript
Document Signed by President William McKinley Close to His Assassination
Document Signed
1 page | SMC 1190

Quick Reference

      Background

      At the turn of the last century, the sitting President, William McKinley, went on vacation in the summer of 1901 – for three months. This document, albeit headlined Washington, was signed during that idyll, his last, before his appointment in Buffalo two weeks later.

      Rare as of this date, so close to McKinley's assassination.
      Document Signed, as President, partially printed and accomplished in manuscript; 1 page, large oblong folio (19” by 15”), Washington, August 22, 1901. Co-signed by the Acting Secretary of War and replete with blue wafer Seal.
      Read More

      all pages and transcript

      Page 1/1

      Page 1 transcript
      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  Willard D. Newbill, I do appoint him Captain in the Artillery Corps in the service of the United States: to rank as such from the twenty-second day of August, nineteen eighteen [sic] hundred and one.  He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Captain by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging.

      And I do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as CaptainAnd he is to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future President of the United States of America, or the General or other superior Officers set over him, according to the rules and discipline of War.  This Commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States, for the time being, and until the end of the next session of the Senate

      Given under my hand at the City of Washington, this twenty-second day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and one and in the one hundred and twenty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States.

      By the President:  WILLIAM MCKINLEY

      Acting Secretary of War.  WM CARY SANGER