Partly printed document signed “Andrew Johnson” as President. Single page, 7.5” x 7.5”. Datelined Washington, D.C., 4 March 1868. After Seward negotiated with Russia to sell Alaska, but before the House appropriated payment of $7.2 million, Johnson sends congratulations to Czar Alexander II, ostensibly knowing the deal was done. Completed in manuscript. In full, “I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to the envelope of my letter to the Emperor of Russia (congratulations) dated this day, and signed by me; and for so doing this shall be his warrant.” There were no recent births or marriages in the Czar’s family so, most probably, the congratulations had to do with the imminent payment for the purchase of Alaska. Almost a year earlier, on 30 March 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward and the Russian Minister to the United States, Baron Eduard de Stoeckl, had reached an agreement whereby Russia would sell Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million. The treaty was signed the next day. On 9 April, the U.S. Senate ratified the treaty. On 9 October 1867, the United States took formal possession of Alaska and the American flag was raised in the new U.S. territory. There was one problem. While the Constitution gives the President the power, “by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur Senate,” “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.” And the House of Representatives had not authorized the $7.2 million for the purchase. An editorial in “The New York Times” on the day President Johnson wrote his letter to Czar Alexander II concluded, “The American people will not permit this great purchase to be annulled, or the Star Spangled Banner to be hauled down in the vast territory over which it now waves.” On 14 July 1868, H.R. 1096, “A bill making an appropriation of money to carry into effect the treaty with Russia of March 30, 1867,” was passed by the House of Representatives, 113-43 with 44 not voting. On 1 August 1868, Francis E. Spinner, Treasurer of the United States, signed a Treasury warrant check for $7,200,000, payable to Baron de Stoeckl, Russian Minister to the United States. Small portion of lower right corner missing. Fine condition.

Categories: Presidential & Political Memorabilia & Autographs   Document Signed

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