Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell) (1782-1850) [Appointment of David Vinton to West Point]
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03496 Author/Creator: Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell) (1782-1850) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 20 May 1818 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Document signed by Calhoun as Secretary of War in the Monroe Administration. Official document appoints David Hammond Vinton of Providence, Rhode Island, as a cadet at West Point. Asks him to notify the Department of War of his acceptance or non-acceptance. If he accepts he has to report to West Point, New York, in September. Also prints qualifications for admission at the bottom. At the very bottom is a note in pencil that says "Care of Mrs. Mary Vinton." Vinton graduated in 1822 as an artillerist, but transferred to the infantry in 1823 and served most of his career in the quartermaster service. Served during the Mexican War as chief quartermaster for General John Wool. Was captured in Texas at the beginning of Civil War and exchanged after a few months. Became Quartermaster-General of New York 1861-1866 and was brevetted a brigadier general in 1864.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.