Inside panel with the embossed Seal of the State of Massachusetts at the upper left, inscribed "HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN BROOKS, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. / To James Billings Gentleman, GREETING: / YOU being elected on the eighteenth day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, to be Lieutenant of a Company in the third Regiment of Infantry, in the first Brigade, and third Division, of the Militia of this Commonwealth, reposing special trust and confidence in your ability, courage, and good conduct, I do, by these Presents, Commission you accordingly. You will therefore, with honour and fidelity, discharge the duties of said office, according to the Laws of this Commonwealth, and to Military Rule and Discipline. And all inferior Officers and Soldiers are hereby commanded to obey you in your said capacity; and you will yourself observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from time to time, receive from the Commander in Chief or others 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 eighteen, and in the forty second year of the Independence of the United States of America. / By His Excellency the Governor," signed by "Alden Bradford, Secretary of the Commonwealth.", with the signature of "J. Brooks" (Governor John Brooks of Massachusetts) in the left hand margin. Outside panel inscribed "COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS / THIS MAY CERTIFY, that James Billings Commissioned as within, on this Sixteenth day of June A.D. 1818, personally appeared, and took and subscribed the Oaths and Decorations required by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, and a Law of the United States, to qualify him to discharge the duties of his office. Before me," with the signature ofsigned "Isaac Hurd Jr Colonel / 3d Reg. 1 Brig 3 Div". The document is printed in black ink, with the personalized and dated entries in handwritten black ink, on an off-white parchment stock, measuring 385 mm (w) x 240 mm (h), exhibiting edge wear, separation at the seams and light soiling overall, the document under glass on both sides, the frame with a card backer with a window opened up to expose the outside panel text under glass, in a 447 mm (w) x 345 mm (h) wooden frame, with a wire on the reverse for wall hanging. Very fine.
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