Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 8 x 10, March 14, 1901. President McKinley directs the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to “my proclamation announcing the death of the Honorable Benjamin Harrison, formerly President of the United States.” Signed boldly at the conclusion by William McKinley, with a secretarial hand adding to the upper right, “Given to the press.” Includes an original black-bordered 8.25 x 13.25 print of McKinley’s presidential proclamation “Announcing the Death of Honorable Benjamin Harrison.” In fine condition, with a small stain to a blank area.
The 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison died at the age of 67 on March 13, 1901, eight years after leaving the White House. Presidentially signed documents pertaining to the death of a past American president are rare and highly sought after by collectors, with this particular example all the more significant given that McKinley himself would die just six months later, the victim of an assassin’s bullet. As such, Theodore Roosevelt would sign a similar proclamation for McKinley on September 14, 1901.
McKinley's proclamation reads, in part: “Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States from 1889 to 1893, died yesterday at 4:45 P. M., at his home in Indianapolis. In his death the country has been deprived of one of its greatest citizens. A brilliant soldier in his young manhood, he gained fame and rapid advancement by his energy and valor. As a lawyer he rose to be a leader of the bar. In the Senate he at once took and retained high rank as an orator and legislator; and in the high office of President he displayed extraordinary gifts as administrator and statesman. In public and in private life he set a shining example for his countrymen.
In testimony of the respect in which his memory is held by the Government and people of the United States, I do hereby direct that the flags on the Executive Mansion and the several Departmental buildings be displayed at half staff for a period of thirty days; and that suitable military and naval honors, under the orders of the Secretaries of War and of the Navy, be rendered on the day of the funeral.”
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