James A. Garfield Signed Document: Rare Foreign Affairs Document As President
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:38978592 | Original/Reproduction: Original |
| President: James A. Garfield | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 8 x 10, May 21, 1881. President Garfield directs the “Secretary of State to cause the Sealof the United States to be affixed to an envelope containing the letter of Recallof Mr. Dichman, as Minister Resident of the U. S. to Colombia.” An abrasionat the “ames” in his signature expertly and inconspicuously effaced to restoreits original appearance, resulting in the boldest known signature fromGarfield. Light intersecting folds, otherwise ...in fine condition.Ernest Dichman had been appointed by President Hayes in 1878and here is recalled by his successor, James Garfield, at the request of theColombian government. It seems that Dichman had difficulties working withColombian official Dr. Becerra, the Secretary of Public Instruction and ActingSecretary of Foreign Affairs, so President Garfield appointed George Maney ashis replacement. This document dates to just six weeks before Garfield was shotby Charles Guiteau, an injury that proved fatal in September. As he was inoffice for a mere six months—and incapacitated for two—documents signed aspresident are very scarce.
