President James A. Garfield Appoints Ulysses S. Grant’s Brother-in-law as U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland

Michael J. Cramer earned his way through college by teaching German and Latin and working part time as a printer. He studied for the ministry and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1860. Cramer joined the Methodist conference and preached for four years. In July  1864 President Lincoln appointed him Hospital Chaplain, in which post he ministered to sick, wounded and dying soldiers. Cramer stayed in the service until 1867, when President Andrew Johnson named him U.S. Consul at Leipzig, Germany. In addition to his official duties there, he organized a chapel service and preached every Sunday. In 1870, Cramer was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Denmark by his brother-in-law President Grant, and he resided in Copenhagen for eleven years in this capacity.  In 1881 President James Garfield appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, and this post was later confirmed by Chester A. Arthur when he became President after Garfield's assassination. Cramer returned to America in 1885, the day after the death of Grant. 

Cramer married the youngest sibling of Ulysses S. Grant: Mary.  In this way he became close to Grant and his recollections of the General / President are an important primary resource.  As he writes in the Preface to his book "Ulysses S. Grant, Conversations and Unpublished Letters", "I came thus into frequent contact with General Grant by visits to his home and otherwise… The General and I conversed freely on various subjects… He was one of the most instructive and interesting talkers I ever conversed with.  His conversations had wit and humor in them."  Cramer got to know Grant as few did.

Grant was still alive when this appointment was made by Garfield.  It was Grant who helpdd give Cramer his first appointment in the diplomatic service and Grant who watched over his career until he died.  Garfield and Grant were Republicans.

To find anything signed by Garfield of this importance is very uncommon, particularly as it relates to Grant.

Document Signed as President, on vellum, Washington, May 11, 1881, appointing Cramer Chargé d’Affaires to Switzerland. It is countersigned by Secretary of State James J. Blaine. Before the word "ambassador" came in to common use, this was an ambassadorial-level engagement.    Documents of Garfield as President are uncommon, even more so when the document is important, such as the appointment of a European ambassador.   This document was acquired directly from the descendants of the family of Ulysses S. Grant and has never before been offered for sale.