An 1817 Massachusetts Militia Commission Document to Brigade Major Lewis

An 1817 Massachusetts Militia Commission Document to Brigade Major Lewis - Obverse inscribed "HIS EXCELLENCY John Brooks, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. To Philo Lewis, Esquire, Greeting: YOU being appointed on the twentyfirst day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, by the Brigadier-General of the second Brigade, and tenth Division of the Militia of this Commonwealth, to be Brigade Major, & Inspector of said Brigade. Reposing special trust and confidence in your ability, courage, and good conduct, by Virtue of the Power vested in me, I do, by these Presents, Commission you accordingly, with Rank of Major. -- You are, therefore, faithfully and diligently to discharge the Duties of said Office, according to the Laws of the Commonwealth, and to Military Rule and Discipline; observing such orders and instructions, as you shall, from time to time, receive from your Superior Officers. Given under my Hand, and the Seal of the Commonwealth, the twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, and in the forty-first year of the Independence of the United States of America. By His Excellency the Governor.", signed by John Brooks in the left margin below the attached embossed seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and signed by Alden Bradford, Secretary of the Commonwealth at the base of the inscription. Reverse inscribed "COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. THIS MAY CERTIFY, that Philo Lewis Commissioned as within, on this Sixteenth day of July A.D, 1817, personally appeared and took subscribed the Oaths and Declarations required by the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth, and a Law of the United States, to qualify him to discharge the duties of his office. Before, me" and signed by Jacob Townsby, Justice of the Peace. Printed in black ink on white paper, individual entries in faded black ink, 248 mm x 388 mm, fold marks, one small tear on the central fold mark, near extremely fine. Footnote: Philo Lewis was commissioned as a Brigade Major, & Inspector with the 2nd Brigade, 10th Division, Massachusetts Militia, on June 12, 1817, on the authority of Governor and Commander-in-Chief John Brooks. Lewis took the Oaths and Declarations before Justice of the Peace Jacob Townsby on July 16, 1817.