[Abraham Lincoln,] President of the United States of America. To all who shall see these presents greeting: Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the [integrity and ability, of Gustavus V. Fox, of Massachusetts, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,] do appoint him [to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy] ... Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the [thirty-first] day of [July,] in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and [sixty-one] ... By the President: [Abraham Lincoln] ...