President Zachary Taylor Recognizes a Consul of Venezuela to the Port of Philadelphia

On July 9, 1850, after only 16 months in office, a seemingly healthy Taylor died after a sudden illness of four days duration. The cause of his death is still disputed, and although his doctors blamed cholera morbus or gastroenteritis, rather general diagnoses, many suspected that he had been poisoned. He had certainly made some very powerful political enemies in the months leading up to his demise.

Jose C. Keef is listed as a consul for Venezuela in Philadelphia, according to the 1852 American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge. He started his stint in Philadelphia with this document, whereby President Zachary Taylor recognized his status.

Document signed, Washington, July 30, 1849. “Satisfactory evidence having been exhibited to me that Jose C. Keef has been appointed Consul of Venezuela for the port of Philadelphia, I do recognize him as such…” With the seal intact, and countersigned by Secretary of State John M. Clayton.

Because of his early death in office, documents signed by Taylor as President are extremely uncommon. This is just the fourth we have had in all these years.