VAN BUREN, Martin (1782-1862). Passport document signed ("M. Van Buren"), as Secretary of State. 1830. Set in a book with accompanying travel documents.

9 3/4 x 16 in. fold-out document, set into a red leather book and separated fully and partially along numerous heavy folds, with dampstaining and wear consistent with heavy use and age. Stamped and validated more than a dozen times.

Passport permits Alexander Robertson Rodgers safe and free passage as a citizen of the United States.

Book contains a number of pages stamped by police prefectures, legates, consulates, etc. chronicling Rodgers' travels through Austria, the Italian states, Switzerland, and France from the spring to the fall of 1830. Stamps and validations include Firenze, Bologna, Ferrara, Padova, Vienna, Trieste, Laibach (Ljubljana), Venezia, Milano, Annemasse, Geneva, and Havre. Laid in are a travel document from the police prefecture for the Kingdom of the two Sicilies dated 15 March 1830 and from D. Antonio Maria Statella e Nasilli, Prince of Cassaro, issued in Naples in April and valid for 12 days.

Rodgers notes on one of the book's final pages, "Sailed from Havre Oct. 3rd. 1830 / Arrived at New York Nov 4th. 1830.

[With:] Letter accepting an invite to dine with President Van Buren on behalf of Prussian minister Baron de Roenne. 5 1/8 x 8 1/2 in. (few areas of loss, old folds). -- WELLMORE, E., eng. Printed engraving of Martin Van Buren, 3 5/8 x 4 3/8 in. on 7 x 10 in. sheet, with facsimile signature beneath portrait. -- Together, 2 items related to Martin Van Buren.

Alexander Robertson Rodgers (1807-1885) was born with a pedigree of American patriotism, having a grandfather who was a brigade chaplain during the Revolution and a father who was a hero of Valley Forge. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1828, but spent three years traveling Europe instead of going straight to work. He was married and moved to Fishkill, New York, before suffering great losses resulting from the Panic of 1837. He eventually practiced law with success in New York.

Property from the Augustana Collection