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State of Maine.

To all who shall see these Presents

Greeting

[To the left is “Samuel E. Smith”]

Know Ye, That Samuel E. Smith, our Governor, reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, ability and learning of John Ruggles, of Thomaston, in the County of Lincoln, Esquire, hath nominated, and by, and with the advice and consent of our Council, appointed the said John Ruggles, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for the State of Maine.

We therefore do hereby authorize and empower him to fulfil [fulfill] the duties of that office according to law; and to have and to hold the same, together with all the powers, privileges, and emoluments thereto of right appertaining, unto him the said John Ruggles, during his good behavior, but not beyond the age of seventy years.

In testimony whereof, We have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and our Seal to be hereunto affixed. Witness our Governor, at the Council Chamber, in Portland, the fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty one; and of the Independence of the United States the fifty fifth.

By the Governor:

Roscoe G. Greene

[Line across page]

State of Maine

Council Chamber Portland. On the fifth day of March A.D.[?] 1831, personally appeared John Ruggles of Thomaston in the County of Lincoln and took and subscribed the oaths prescribed by the Constitution of this State and a law of the United States, to qualify him to discharge and execute the duties of the office of a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the State aforesaid, to which he was appointed and commissioned on the fourth day of March A.D.1831

Before me

Ralph C. Johnson one of the Council.

Received and Recorded March 9. 1831 by R.G. Greene, Secretary of State