At the turn of the 20th century Naval Officer and Rough Rider Theodore Teddy Roosevelt found himself President of the United States after President William McKinley was assassinated. Just three years earlier Roosevelt was the Secretary of the Navy and understood the importance of each officer including the Paymasters. The position of Paymaster is more commonly known today as an accountant or a controller. Each naval base and ship had a paymaster that is responsible for not only balancing the books but making sure the military supply store was kept up by the Storekeeper.

Lt. John F. Hatch was already the Assistant Storekeeper for the Boston Navy Yard when he was handed down his Presidential appointment of Passed Assistant Paymaster. His job suddenly doubled. He was now in charge of making sure the Storekeeper had everything they needed but also the Paymaster. He must have been more than competent at his job because not long after his appointment as Assistant Paymaster he was bestowed with the full title and merits of Paymaster. After serving the Boston Navy Yard he served at the Paymaster for the New York Navy Yard the U.S.S. Wisconsin and Cavite Naval Base in the Philippines. Lt. Hatchs dedication to the United States Navy did not go unnoticed. The document is also signed by Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton of the Morton Salt Company. He held the appointment of Secretary of the Navy for only a year after he was pushed out due to scandal with his dealings as the Vice President of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. His signature is a rare one to find on political documents today.

Set in a rich cherry wood frame measuring 28 by 31 with tweet matting this letter bares the great blue seal of the United States Navy and presents in beautifully embellished calligraphy. The paper and seal show slight signs of aging and creasing but this unique piece of American and military history carries the same gusto as its signor President Theodor Roosevelt whose large bold autograph is most impressive.

Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.