Books and Manuscripts

Washington, (D.C.), December 26, 1814. Single vellum sheet, 17 5/16 x 14 7/8 in. (440 x 378 mm). Partially-printed military commission, executed in a secretarial hand and signed by James Madison as President of the United States, appointing William Linnard "Quarter Master General with the brevet rank of Colonel"; counter-signed by James Monroe as Vice-President; paper seal at top. Creasing from contemporary folds; Monroe's signature somewhat faded; scattered light spotting.

A handsome military commission issued during the War of 1812 to "one of the prominent American military leaders of the Antebellum period" (Daniel T. Campbell, William Linnard: Soldier, Carpenter, Artisan, and Rare Public Servant). Colonel William Linnard (1749-1835) was a Philadelphia-born master builder and skilled artisan who served during the American Revolution as a Captain of the Pennsylvania Artillery Company Militia. He fought in the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, during the latter he is noted to have placed a cannon at the mouth of the Wissahickon Creek and fired at invading Hessian troops. In 1782 he was elected to The Carpenters' Company and served as Warden in 1787 and Vice-President from 1806 until 1813. Also in 1806 he became one of the directors of the Philadelphia Domestic Society, a corporation for processing raw materials into textiles. He was elected for two terms to the Pennsylvania State Assembly representing Philadelphia, in 1797 and in 1800. An ardent supporter of Thomas Jefferson, during Jefferson's presidency he was appointed military agent for the Middle Department, tasked with providing provisions for the army's numerous outposts throughout most of the country, and was instrumental in outfitting Lewis and Clark's expedition across the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. His success in this position led to him being appointed, as can be seen here, to the newly reinstated role of Quartermaster General, a position he continued to hold until his death, in 1835. A devoted Presbyterian, he was a trustee and longtime treasurer of Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church, where he is now buried.