Handsome partly-printed vellum DS as president, one page, 13.25 x 16.5, May 26, 1812. President Madison appoints Joseph S. McPherson as "a Lieutenant in the Navy in the Service of the United States." Crisply signed at the conclusion by President Madison and countersigned by Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton. The crisply embossed white paper seal affixed at the bottom remains fully intact, and the seldom-seen attractive blue ribbon on the seal is present. Attractively matted and framed to an overall size of 20.5 x 23.5. In very good to fine condition, with moderate overall wrinkling.