President Andrew Johnson Ratifies Agreement Btwn US & Italy for Consuls! PSA

Title:
President Andrew Johnson Signed Document Authorizing U.S. Seal for 1868 Consular Convention with Italy – PSA/DNA Certified

Description:
Presented is an important and historically significant presidential document signed by Andrew Johnson, dated June 22, 1868, authorizing the affixing of the Seal of the United States to the ratification of a Convention between the United States and the Kingdom of Italy. The document is signed “Andrew Johnson” in a bold, flowing hand and has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA (Cert #85503875).

The manuscript reads, in full:

“I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to the Ratification of a Convention between the United States and His Majesty the King of Italy, concluded on the 8th of February last, dated this day, and signed by me; and for so doing this shall be his warrant.”

Andrew Johnson
Washington, June 22, 1868

This directive, written in a clerical hand and boldly signed by Johnson, is a formal order to apply the Great Seal of the United States to a major diplomatic agreement — a necessary constitutional step to enact any treaty under U.S. law.

Historical Context:
The document refers specifically to the Convention Defining the Rights, Immunities, and Privileges of Consuls, signed on February 8, 1868, between the United States and King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. This consular convention was part of a broader mid-19th century diplomatic effort to codify and protect the legal standing of foreign consuls operating in each nation.

Under this treaty, both countries agreed to formalize the legal status, protections, and responsibilities of their consular officials abroad—granting them immunity for official acts, establishing rights of communication with nationals, and defining jurisdictional boundaries. These agreements were essential to the expanding global presence of the U.S. and reflected its growing maturity in international diplomacy.

President Andrew Johnson, who served from 1865–1869 following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, played an active role in post-Civil War diplomatic normalization. This document comes from the final months of his presidency and reflects a critical aspect of American foreign policy: the legal foundation of consular relations with rising European powers such as newly unified Italy.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
This item has been authenticated by PSA/DNA and encapsulated in a tamper-evident, archival-quality slab. It bears certification number 85503875. The document is in very good condition for its age, with expected mailing folds, light toning, and exceptional legibility. Johnson’s signature is bold and clear—an outstanding example of presidential penmanship on a document of diplomatic substance.

Closing Appeal:
This rare and content-rich artifact is not just a presidential autograph but an official act of state—ratifying a treaty that helped define modern consular law. With its bold Andrew Johnson signature, direct tie to U.S.–Italian diplomatic history, and PSA/DNA certification, this is a centerpiece item for collectors of presidential, diplomatic, or 19th-century legal history.