President James K. Polk and Secretary of State James Buchanan Appoint a U.S. Attorney
Polk and his administration came into office on March 4, 1845, and the President commenced the business of the executive branch. One of his first tasks was to make appointments. Stoddard was a noted attorney from an old Connecticut family and a Democrat.
Document signed as President, Washington, March 15, 1845, just...
Polk and his administration came into office on March 4, 1845, and the President commenced the business of the executive branch. One of his first tasks was to make appointments. Stoddard was a noted attorney from an old Connecticut family and a Democrat.
Document signed as President, Washington, March 15, 1845, just 11 days into his term. Relying on the “integrity, ability & learning of Jonathan Stoddard”, Polk appoints him “Attorney of the United States in & for the District of Connecticut…for the term of four years from the day of the date hereof”. The document is also signed by future president James Buchanan in his capacity as Secretary of State. The word “learning” was inserted manually after ability, this being the only time we can recall seeing this done.
When Whig Zachary Taylor succeeded Polk, Stoddard was replaced.
Documents signed by both Polk and Taylor are uncommon, this being the first we have had in over a decade.

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