Partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 16.75 x 14.25, October 21, 1842. President Tyler recognizes the appointment of Johann Wilhelm Schmidt as “Consul General of Baden for the United States, to reside at New York.” Signed at the conclusion by John Tyler and countersigned by Acting Secretary of State Fletcher Webster, the son of Daniel Webster. The original embossed white seal remains affixed to the lower left. In fine condition, with overall wrinkling. It was Fletcher Webster, who, on April 5, 1841, traveled to Williamsburg, Virginia, to deliver the news of President William Henry Harrison’s death to Vice President John Tyler.
Johann Wilhelm Schmidt (1781-1865) was Consul General of Prussia to the U.S. for nearly 50 years. He also served as Consul General of Saxony, Baden, and Oldenburg to the U.S.; a Consul General serves under an ambassador as a representative for one country fostering good relations in another country and assisting visiting citizens from the country he represents.
Born in Prussia, Schmidt came to the U.S. around 1805 and married New York native Eliza Ann Bache (1797-1874) around 1820, with whom they had 10 children. At least two children, Florentine and Leopold, became vice consuls. In 1852 Schmidt testified in a colorful New York court case about two businessmen having an engraver create a counterfeit copy of an official treasury note plate of the Prussian government. They told the engraver that the plate was designed for a soap label. They printed a large quantity of Prussian notes before they were arrested.
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