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With this document, President Franklin Pierce appoints Boston physician John Warren Gorham as the first United States Consul at Jerusalem on October 20, 1856.
The appointment was ratified by the Senate only on March 30, 1858, though Gorham took up his post on March 25, 1857. He set up the consulate in a rented building on Mt. Zion near the Jaffa Gate. He had little to do, however, and, even that, he did poorly. He was relieved in September 1860, due to alcoholism exasperated, it was said, by boredom.
The appointment was ratified by the Senate only on March 30, 1858, though Gorham took up his post on March 25, 1857. He set up the consulate in a rented building on Mt. Zion near the Jaffa Gate. He had little to do, however, and, even that, he did poorly. He was relieved in September 1860, due to alcoholism exasperated, it was said, by boredom.
Document Signed, as President, partially printed and accomplished in manuscript, 1 page, oblong elephant folio, Washington, D.C., October 20, 1856. Co-signed by Secretary of State William Learned Marcy. With wafer-seal of the United States.
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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 abilities of John Warren Gorham of Massa-chusetts, I do appoint him CONSUL of the United States of America, at Jerusalem
and do authorize and empower him to HAVE AND TO HOLD the said office,
and to exercise and enjoy all the rights, pre-eminences, privileges, and authorities, to the same of right appertaining, 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 of the United States, and no longer: he demanding and receiving
no fees, or perquisites of office whatever, which shall not be expressly established by some law of the United States. And I do hereby enjoin all captains,
masters, and commanders of ships and other vessels, armed or unarmed, sailing under the flag of the said United States, as well as all other of their citizens, to
acknowledge and consider him, the said John Warren Gorham accordingly.
AND I DO HEREBY PRAY AND REQUEST His Majesty The Sultan of Turkey, His
Governors and officers, to permit the said John Warren Gorham fully and peaceably to
enjoy and exercise the said office, without giving or suffering to be given unto him any molestation or trouble ; but, on the contrary, to afford him all
proper countenance and assistance ; I offering to do the same for all those who shall, in like manner, be recommended to me by His Said Majesty.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twentieth -- day of October --
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty Six and, of the Independence of the United
States of America, the 81st
BY THE PRESIDENT : FRANKLIN PIERCE
WM. L. MARCY, SECRETARY OF STATE.
