Manuscript document signed by Monroe as President and countersigned by Adams as Secretary of State, appointing William F. Steele the U.S. Attorney for the Territory of Florida

1p., plus integral blank. Paper covered seal of the U.S. Folio (15 x 10 inches). Following the ratification of the Adams-Onis Treaty, President James Monroe was authorized on March 3, 1821, to take possession of Florida for the United States and provide for its initial governance. After appointing William Pope Duval as the first civilian governor in 1822 he began filling other appointments including the attorneys general for East and West Florida. See The Territorial Papers of the United States (Vol. XXII) for the present appointment, as well as several official communications to Adams and others from Steele concerning timber and other matters, and numerous subsequent communications from Steele and others concerning charges brought against Steele on a variety of charges (including failing to enforce the law against bringing slaves into the territory). Steele would ultimately be removed in 1825 for misconduct and abandoning his office. He died at Mobile, Alabama the following year. Minor toning, separated from the conjugate blank, separations at folds of the blank 1p., plus integral blank. Paper covered seal of the U.S. Folio (15 x 10 inches). …