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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Washington, George (1732-1799) [Appointment of Robert Morris as judge of district court in New Jersey]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04421 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Document signed Date: August 28, 1790 Pagination: 1 p. ; 28 x 42 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 24.7 x 18.4 cm Order a Copy

Countersigned by Thomas Jefferson. The words "By the President" are written in Jefferson's hand. Endorsed on verso by James Kinsey, stating that Robert Morris appeared on 10 September 1790 and took the oath of office as Judge of the district court of New Jersey. On parchment. Faded with ink decay at top. One black and white seated engraving of Washington included.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

George Washington President of the United States of America
To all who shall see these Presents - Greeting:
Whereas the Office of Judge of the District Court in and for New Jersey District is at present vacant, Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Wisdom, Uprightness and Learning of Robert Morris of New Jersey, Esquire, I do appoint him Judge of the said District Court, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the Duties of that Office according to the Constitution and Laws of the said United States; and to have and to hold the said Office with all the Powers, Privileges, and Emoluments to the same of Right appertaining unto him the said Robert Morris during his good Behaviour, and until the End of the next Session of the Senate of the United States, and no longer.
In Testimony whereof I have caused these Letter to be made Patent, and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my Hand the Twenty eighth Day of August; in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety, and of the Independence of the United States of America the Fifteenth.

Go: Washington
By the President
Th: Jefferson
[verso]
Be it Remembered that on the tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, Personally appeared before the Honorable James Kinsey Esquire, Chief Justice of the State of New Jersey Robert Morris Esq. and took the Oath of Allegiance prescribed by the act of the United States, and also the Oath of Office as Judge of the district Court of New Jersey district prescribed by the act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States.

J. Kinsey

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Kinsey, James, 1731-1803
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

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