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Selah Merrill, having held the post of U.S. Consul at Jerusalem for almost three decades – appointed by three Republican presidents – is here installed in that position for the last time by President McKinley. Added to Merrill’s record of longevity, is this dubious distinction: he is generally considered the greatest reviler of the Jews to ever occupy the post of consul at Jerusalem.
Document Signed, as President, partially-printed and accomplished in manuscript, being the appointment of Selah Merrill as the U.S. Consul at Jerusalem and Syria; 1 page, oblong folio, Washington, January 22, 1898. Co-signed by Secretary of State John Sherman.
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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 and integrity of Selah Merrill, of Massachusetts,
I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Consul of the United States of
America at Jerusalem, Syria, and such other parts as shall be nearer thereto than to the residence of any other Consul
or Vice-Consul, of the United States, within the same allegiance; and do authorize and empower him To have and to hold the said office and to exercise and enjoy all the rights, preeminences,
privileges and authorities to the same of right appertaining, subject to the conditions prescribed by law: The said Selah Merrill demanding and receiving no fees or
perquisites of office whatever, which shall not be expressly established by some law of the said 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 States, as well as all other of their citizens to acknowledge and consider him the said Selah Merrill
accordingly. And I do hereby pray and request His Imperial Majesty, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, His
Governors and Officers to permit the said Selah Merrill 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 & assistance, I offering to do the same for
all those who shall in like manner be recommended to me by His said Imperial Majesty.
In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.
Given in my hand, at the City of Washington, the 22nd day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight and of the Independence of the
United States of America the one hundred and twenty-second.
By the President,
WILLIAM McKINLEY
JOHN SHERMAN
Secretary of State.
To all who shall see these presents greeting :
Know ye That reposing special trust and confidence in the abilities and integrity of Selah Merrill, of Massachusetts,
I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Consul of the United States of
America at Jerusalem, Syria, and such other parts as shall be nearer thereto than to the residence of any other Consul
or Vice-Consul, of the United States, within the same allegiance; and do authorize and empower him To have and to hold the said office and to exercise and enjoy all the rights, preeminences,
privileges and authorities to the same of right appertaining, subject to the conditions prescribed by law: The said Selah Merrill demanding and receiving no fees or
perquisites of office whatever, which shall not be expressly established by some law of the said 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 States, as well as all other of their citizens to acknowledge and consider him the said Selah Merrill
accordingly. And I do hereby pray and request His Imperial Majesty, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, His
Governors and Officers to permit the said Selah Merrill 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 & assistance, I offering to do the same for
all those who shall in like manner be recommended to me by His said Imperial Majesty.
In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.
Given in my hand, at the City of Washington, the 22nd day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight and of the Independence of the
United States of America the one hundred and twenty-second.
By the President,
WILLIAM McKINLEY
JOHN SHERMAN
Secretary of State.
