JAMES BUCHANAN (1791 - 1868) Fifteenth President of the United States whose hands-off attitude toward states' rights directly contributed to the start of the Civil War. Fine association, partly-printed D.S. as President, 1p. folio, Washington, Jan. 22, 1858. A naval appointment of CHARLES C. CARPENTER to the rank of Master. Countersigned by ISAAC TOUCEY as Secretary of State. Folds, a toned area at left, well clear of Buchanan’s signature, else very good. CHARLES CARROLL CARPENTER (1834-1899) was an officer in the U.S. Navy for almost 50 years. During his illustrious career, he participated in the African Slave Trade Patrol, served as lieutenant commander in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the Civil War, and promoted to commander in 1865. Following the Civil War, Carpenter served as commander-in-chief of the Asiatic Squadron during the first Sino-Japanese War. He was then briefly recalled to duty in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.