A warrant document signed by James Buchanan and Issac Toucey. Partly Printed DS: "James Buchanan" as President and "Isaac Toucey" as Secretary of the Navy, 1p, 13½x16. Washington, 1858 June 11. On vellum. 3-inch diameter orange seal affixed to naval vignette at lower margin. President Buchanan appoints Henry L. Howison "a Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, from the 11th of June 1858…This Warrant is to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States…." HENRY L. HOWISON (1837-1914) had just been graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in June, 1858, when he received this appointment. When the Civil War began three years later, Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles found the force ill-prepared. He had only 8,800 in personnel, including Howison. Only 42 of 76 vessels were ready to close 185 registered harbors in 12,000 miles of indented coastline (exclusive of rivers). By the War's end, the Union Navy grew to 58,000 sailors and 671 vessels, making it the strongest in the world.

Four-language Ship's Papers for a whaling voyage in the Pacific. Four language ship's papers signed: "M. Van Buren" as eighth U.S. President and "John Forsyth" as Secretary of State, 1p, 21x16½. Issued at New Bedford, (Mass.), 1840 August 15. Four language ship's papers (French, Spanish, English, Dutch). In part: Authorization for William Whitten, Jr.,"master or commander of the ship called the Rodman" ... bound for Pacific Ocean and laden with Provisions, Stores and Utensils for a whaling voyage...." The American sperm whaling industry had its greatest prosperity from 1820-1850. About 10,000 whales were killed annually. Much whaling took place in the Pacific Ocean, with many voyages lasting as long as four to five years; whaling ships sent their whale oil home by cargo ship from time to time and continued whaling. MARTIN VAN BUREN (1782-1862), a shrewd politician known as "The Little Magician" and "Old Kinderhook", served as eighth U.S. President from 1837-1841. While Democrats usually credit Jefferson and Jackson's as the founders of their Party, Van Buren was the real architect of its national and grass roots organization. The Panic of 1837 was blamed on Van Buren (called "Van Ruin" by his foes), dooming his re-election prospects.…"

Henry Clay wrote this letter from his Ashland estate in Kentucky in 1829, about nine months after he stepped down as President John Quincy Adams' Secretary of State. In it, he talks about President Andrew Jackson - "the Military despot" - as well as the election and a friend who had published a letter of his without his permission. Autograph letter signed "H. Clay". 4 pages, 7¾x9¾, 1 sheet folded, front and verso. Written at Clay's Ashland estate in Kentucky, Nov. 21, 1829. Addressed to P. R. Fendale, Esq. In full: "I recd. you favor both of the 30th. Oct. and the 7th. instant. I believe Mr. Wonley has made the permanent arrangement to supply the place of his late Co-partner; and I think it probable that he will make none before the fate of the Journal is finally decided. However much gratified I should be, in some respects, to see you a resident of Kentucky, I should regret it extremely if it were to be the consequence of the failure of the Journal. That paper has been edited with very great ability, generally, since the commencement of the present administration; and is considered in this quarter as standing unquestionably at the head of the papers which are arrayed against the Military despot.…"