Partly-printed vellum document, signed as president, “Go. Washington,” one page, 14.75 x 18.5, dated December 26, 1794. Document reads, in part, “To all who shall see these Presents Greeting: Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valour, Fidelity, and Abilities of Charles Harrison I have nominated and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, do appoint him Lieutenant in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers in the Service of the United States to take Rank from the second day of June one thousand seven hundred ninety four.” Signed at the conclusion by Washington, and countersigned by the Secretary of War, H[enry] Knox. On February 22, 1793, Washington had nominated Charles Harrison of Virginia to be Ensign; it was approved by the Senate the following day. On May 31, 1794, Washington promoted Harrison to Lieutenant. On June 2nd, the Senate did advise and consent to the appointment which is why the President noted that Harrison’s appointment date would be June 2, 1794, even though this document was dated more than six months later. In very good condition, with moderate previous storage folds, with a vertical fold affecting the “Wa” of signature, edges appearing to be lightly trimmed, mounting remnants to reverse, a few small pinholes of paper loss, and scattered light toning and soiling.
In August 1789, President Washington had submitted to the Congress a report from Secretary of War Knox containing “a statement of the troops in the service of the United States.” In his introduction to his proposal for “Organization of the Militia,” Knox called for “a small corps of well disciplined and well informed artillerists and engineers.” However, no engineers served in the Army until March 1794 when war threatened with Great Britain. At that time Congress authorized Washington to appoint temporary engineers to direct the fortification of key harbors. On April 7th, a “bill for raising and organizing a corps of artillerists and engineers” was received by the House from committee and read for the first time. It was passed by the House and the Senate by the end of May and signed into law by President Washington on May 9, 1794.
On May 31, 1794, Washington sent his nominations to the Senate of 12 Captains, 24 Lieutenants (including Charles Harrison), one Surgeon, and four Surgeons’ Mates “as Company Officers and Surgeon and Surgeons’ Mates in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers,” a corps consisting of one regiment with four battalions of four companies each. When war with France appeared likely in 1798, Congress added a second regiment to the Corps. In 1802, Congress established a separate U.S. Corps of Engineers and the U. S. Military Academy at West Point as America’s first engineering school. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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