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148
147
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JOHNSON, ANDREW. Signature, as President, on a clipped portion of a docu-
ment, including only a few printed words and the date in an unknown hand. 2x5 inches,
pale blue paper; inlaid, horizontal fold. (MRS)
Washington, 8 August 1865
[200/300]
PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES EMPEROR ALEXANDER II OF RUSSIA
148
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JOHNSON, ANDREW. Partly-printed Document Signed, as President, authoriz-
ing the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to “the envelope of my
letter to the Emperor of Russia.” 1 page, 4to, with integral blank; minor loss to left edge,
scattered remnants of prior mounting, folds. (MRS)
Washington, 23 September 1868
[500/750]
The Alaska Purchase Treaty, negotiated in 1867 by Secretary of State William H. Seward on
behalf of the U.S. with the Russian Emperor’s minister, was known at the time as “Seward’s
Folly” by many who thought the purchase an unnecessary use of taxpayer money. On August
1, 1868, after much debate on the matter and disruption caused by the Johnson impeachment
trial, the U.S. issued a treasury warrant to Russia in payment for the AlaskaTerritory.