Commission appointing John Brigham of Michigan as U.S. Consul to Brussels

Transcript: "The President of the United States of America TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS GREETING: Know ye: That reposing special trust and confidence in the abilities and integrity of John Brigham of Michigan, I do appoint him Consul of the United States of America at Brussels; and such other parts as shall be nearer thereto than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice-Consul of the United States within the same allegiance and do authorize and empower him to have and to hold the said office and to exercise and enjoy all the rights, preeminences, privileges and authorities to the same of right appertaining during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being and until the end of the next Session of the SENATE of the United States and no longer, he demanding and receiving no fees or perquisites of office whatever, which shall not be expressly established by some Law of the United States. And I do hereby enjoin all Captains, Masters and Commanders of Ships and Vessels armed or unarmed, sailing under the Flag of the said States, as well as all other of their Citizens to acknowledge & consider him, the said John Brigham, accordingly. And I do hereby pray and request His Majesty, The King of Belgium, His, Governors and Officers to permit the said John Brigham, fully and peaceably to enjoy and exercise the said office, without giving or suffering to be given unto him any molestation or trouble, but on he contrary, to afford him all proper countenance and assistance, I offering to do the same for all those who shall in like manner be recommended to me by His said Majesty. In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at the City of Washington, the Nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixty-three and of the Independence of the United States of America the Eighty-seventh. By the President: Abraham Lincoln. William H. Seward, Secretary of State."