Title:
President Benjamin Harrison Signed Presidential Document (DS) – Authorizing the Great Seal for Proclamation 298 Extinguishing Indian Title & Extending Nebraska's Northern Boundary – October 23, 1890

Description:
Partly-printed Document Signed (DS) as President by Benjamin Harrison, one page, approximately 8 x 10 inches, dated Washington, October 23, 1890. In this official executive warrant, Harrison directs the Secretary of State to affix the Great Seal of the United States to "my Proclamation relative to the Northern boundary of the State of Nebraska." The document concludes with Harrison's bold signature, "Benj. Harrison," and remains in fine condition with excellent eye appeal.

The text reads, in part:

"I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to my Proclamation relative to the Northern boundary of the State of Nebraska... dated this day, and signed by me; and for so doing this shall be his warrant."

Historical Context:
This document is directly associated with Presidential Proclamation No. 298, issued by Benjamin Harrison on October 23, 1890, implementing the provisions of the Act of March 28, 1882, entitled "An Act to Extend the Northern Boundary of the State of Nebraska."

Congress had authorized Nebraska's northern boundary to be extended into what was then Dakota Territory, but only after the Indian title to the affected lands had been legally extinguished. The law protected allotments made to members of the Ponca Tribe and other Native Americans, while the remaining lands would pass under Nebraska's jurisdiction and become available for settlement once the President issued the required proclamation.

On the same day this document was signed, Harrison issued Proclamation No. 298—"Extinguishing Indian Title to Certain Lands." The proclamation declared:

"...the northern boundary of the State of Nebraska shall be... extended so as to include all that portion of the Territory of Dakota lying south of the forty-third parallel of north latitude and east of the Keya Paha River and west of the main channel of the Missouri River; and when the Indian title to the lands thus described shall be extinguished the jurisdiction over said lands shall be, and hereby is, ceded to the State of Nebraska."

The lands referenced in the proclamation today comprise much of Keya Paha County, Boyd County, and the northern portion of Knox County in northeastern Nebraska along the South Dakota border. Harrison's signed warrant represents the final executive authorization directing the Secretary of State to affix the Great Seal, officially completing the legal process that transferred these lands to Nebraska and opened the remaining acreage to settlement.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
Original Document Signed (DS) by President Benjamin Harrison, signed "Benj. Harrison" and dated October 23, 1890.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer's request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional "Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate" signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This exceptional presidential document captures the final executive step in one of Nebraska's last territorial expansions. Closely tied to Proclamation No. 298, it documents Harrison's role in implementing federal policy that extinguished Indian title to designated lands, transferred jurisdiction to the State of Nebraska, and opened the region for settlement. Combining presidential history, western expansion, Native American history, and nineteenth-century government administration, this is a highly desirable artifact for collectors of presidential autographs and significant American historical documents.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.