Partly-Printed Document Signed (partial)

This civil engineer and career Army officer rose to the rank of major general during the Civil War, serving as corps commander in the Army of the Potomac in numerous important engagements; after the war, among various endeavors, he became vice-president of the Colt Firearms Manufacturing Company. Partly-Printed Document Signed (partial), 1p, 8" X 3½", St. Paul, MN, 27 April 1895. Near fine. From 1880 to 1899 Franklin served as president of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, and in this capacity he signs boldly at upper left by way of approving this transaction. Partly-printed portion beneath notes receipt of $7,406 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is signed boldly by that state's 13th governor, David M. Clough (1846-1924). Upper right bears the signature (partly trimmed off) of the N.H.D.V.S.'s general treasurer, J.M. Bermingham. Why Minnesota would be receiving this considerable sum (in today's money close to $300,000) is a bit of a mystery, though likely it related to federal funding of state-run veterans homes for that state. Accompanied by a near fine 5" X 7½" steel-engraved head-and-shoulders portrait of Franklin in uniform, not dated but late 19th century.…