Andrew Johnson Appoints Sec. of State During Seward’s Folly, the Purchase of Alaska from Russia. Rare & Historic DS Signed as President from the Executive Mansion.

1p, [7.75” x 9.75"], DS “Andrew Johnson”, “Executive Mansion, Washington” and dated 23rd July, 1867. President Andrew Johnson appoints William Hunter, the second assistant to the Secretary of State “To discharge the duties of the Secretary of State during the absence of the Honorable William H. Seward”. From the timing of his absence, and the date of this appointment, it's likely that Seward was not present in Washington D.C. because of his key role in representing the United States in the negotiations with Russia for the purchase of Alaska, also known as “Seward’s Folly.”

The purchase of Alaska has been referenced as a "bargain basement deal" and as the principal positive accomplishment of the presidency of Andrew Johnson. Alaska was formally transferred to the United States on October 18, 1867, through a treaty ratified by the United States Senate. The purchase added 586,412 square miles of new territory to the United States for the cost of $7.2 million dollars. Reactions to the purchase in the United States were mostly positive, as many believed possession of Alaska would serve as a base to expand American trade in Asia. Some opponents labeled the purchase as "Seward's Folly", or "Seward's Icebox", as they believed that the United States had acquired useless land.

Seward had been interested in whaling as a senator and his interest in Russia was a byproduct of this. In his speech prior to the 1860 convention, he predicted the Russian territory would become part of the U.S., and when he learned in 1864 that it might be for sale, he pressed the Russians for negotiations. Russian minister Baron Eduard de Stoeckl recommended the sale because the territory lost money, and Russia could use the money more efficiently for its expansion in Siberia or Central Asia. Keeping the land ran the risk of it being captured in war by the British, or overrun by American settlers. Stoeckl was given the authority to make the sale in March 1867. He negotiated with Secretary of State Seward who initially offered $5 million, but then settled on $7.2 million. On March 15, Seward presented a draft treaty to the Cabinet which was signed in the early morning of March 30, and ratified by the Senate on April 10.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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