President Theodore Roosevelt Appoints the Solicitor General of the United States

This is one of the highest level presidential appointments we have ever carried

Henry Martyn Hoyt Jr. became assistant attorney general in 1897, and was then appointed solicitor general of the United States by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. This is one of the highest ranking appointments below the cabinet level that a president can make. Hoyt served in that post from 1903 to 1909. After the end of Roosevelt's term in office Hoyt became a counselor to Taft’s Secretary of State Philander Knox.

The solicitor general is appointed by the president and reports directly to the attorney general. He represents the federal government in cases before the Supreme Court. The solicitor general's office argues on behalf of the federal government in almost every Supreme Court case in which the United States is a party and also represents in most cases in which the government has filed a brief as amicus curiae. In the U.S. court of appeals, the solicitor general's office reviews cases decided against the United States and determines whether the government will seek review in the Supreme Court. The solicitor general's office also reviews cases decided against the United States in the district courts and decides whether the government will file an appeal.

Document signed by Theodore Roosevelt as president, Washington, February 23, 1903, being Hoyt’s original appointment as solicitor general. The appointment is effective on February 25, 1903, and comes with “all the powers, privileges and emoluments” of the office. The document states on behalf of TR that “I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him Solicitor General…” It is countersigned by the then Attorney General Philander Knox, and the red seal is still present.

This is one of the highest level presidential appointments we have ever carried. It was acquired from the direct descendants of the appointee, not known to have survived and offered for sale here for the first time.