Beschreibung:

Small family archive containing documents, personal correspondence, calling cards, genealogical information, and various other items related to the Porter family, a distinguished military family whose members served in wars ranging from the American Revolution through the Civil War. Includes correspondence related to Civil War Colonel Fitz John Porter (1822-1901), notable for his court martial following the Second Battle of Bull Run, and features warrants signed by Presidents John Tyler and James K. Polk on behalf of U. S. Naval Officer William C. B. S. Porter (?-c.1860). Highlights of the archive include the following: Tyler, John (1790-1862). Tenth President of the United States. Partially printed DS, 1p, 11.25 x 8 in., Washington, D.C. July 14, 1842. Warrant signed by President Tyler and Secretary of the Navy Abel P. Upshur appointing W. C. B. S. Porter a Passed Midshipman in the Navy of the United States. Upshur, Abel P. (1790-1844). American politician who served as Secretary of the Navy and later Secretary of State under President John Tyler. ALS, 1p, 8 x 10 in., "Navy Department." July 14, 1842. Addressed to "W. C. B. S. Porter/ U.S. Navy/ Washington D.C." Letter advising William Porter of his appointment as Passed Midshipman in the Navy of the United States. Polk, James K. (1795-1849). Eleventh President of the United States. Partially printed DS, 1p, 11.25 x 8 in., Washington, D.C. June 20, 1848. Warrant signed by President Polk and Secretary of the Navy John Y. Mason appointing William C. B. S. Porter a Master in the Navy of the United States. Mason, John Y. (1799-1859). American politician and Secretary of the Navy under Presidents Tyler and Polk. Partially printed ALS, 1p, 8 x 10 in., "Navy Department." June 22, 1848. Addressed to "Master Wm. C. B. S. Porter" aboard the U.S. Sloop Marion/ Mediterranean. Letter advising William Porter of his appointment as Master in the Navy. Preston, William B. (1805-1862).Secretary of the Navy under President Zachary Taylor. Partially printed ALS, 1p, 8 x 10 in., "Navy Department." March 2, 1850. Addressed to "Lieutenant William. C. B. S. Porter" aboard the U.S. Sloop John Adams/ Coast of Africa. Letter advising William Porter of his appointment as Lieutenant in the Navy with the advice and consent of the Senate. Other items of special interest include a CDV-sized print of Major Fitz John Porter wearing his full military regalia, standing in front of a flag, arm resting on a sword. Image is pasted to the back of calling card Maj. & Mrs. F. J. Porter. / U.S. Army. CDV of General and Mrs. George McClellan. Verso hand inked "Mr. and Mrs. McClellan" with printed text "R.W. Addis Photographer, McClees Gallery, 308 Penna. Avenue, Washington, D.C." Accompanied by an ALS from McClellan's widow, "Ellen M. McClellan," dated May 22, 1901, consoling Mrs. Fitz John Porter on the death of her husband and discussing the close friendship maintained between the Porters and the McClellan's. Real photo post card depicting the dedication of the Fitz John Porter statue located in Haven Park, Portsmouth, N.H. July 1906. Condition: Signed warrants are mostly in good condition with some toning, creasing, and minor soil, particularly on the Tyler warrant which shows more soil and on which the right and left sides have been folded in approximately a 1/2 inch. Polk signature on warrant is slightly faded. All text is legible on warrants. Multiple letters in archive are separated along the folds. CDV of Fitz John Porter has a tear, creasing, a minor loss in upper left corner, and has been attached to calling card with scotch tape.