Attributed to Jesse H. Whitehurst (American, 1820-1875) Committee on Elections (34th Congress), 1856 Salt print from wet plate negative 9-1/2 x 12-5/8 inches (24.1 x 32.1 cm) (image) Titled and inscribed with sitter's names in pencil, verso. The commission was established to monitor the 1856 Presidential Elections. Sitters include (standing, left to right): Colfax, Indiana; Watson, Ohio; Major Oliver, Missouri; General Spinner, New York; (seated, left to right): Hickman, Pennsylvania; Smith, Alabama; Chairman Israel Washburn, Maine; Bingham, Ohio; Stephens, Georgia. Many of these men went on to have illustrious futures. Stephens became Vice President of the Confederate States. Colfax became Vice President of the United States under President U.S. Grant, later becoming involved in the Credit Mobilier of America scandal. John Armour Bingham was named special judge advocate in the trial of the conspirators against the life of President Abraham Lincoln. Francis Spinner was appointed by Lincoln to the post of Treasurer of the United States, later successfully implementing the employment of women in the Treasury Department. PROVENANCE: The artist; Col. John R. Johnston, Baltimore, late 1850s; Current owner. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved