IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF
The Commonwealth of Kentucky,
{KENTUCKY
UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL}
BERIAH MAGOFFIN,
GOVERNOR OF SAID COMMONWEALTH,

To all who shall see these Presents, Greeting:

Know Ye, That Jos. L. Davis having been duly elected to the office of 1^s Lieut, and that reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of said Davis, I do hereby commission him as FIRST LIEUTENANT, with the rank of 1^s Lieut, in the Kentucky State Guard, to rank as such from the 18^t day of May, eighteen hundred and sixty one. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Said office, by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging.

And I do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as First Lieutenant; and he is to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me or the future Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, or the General or other superior officers set over him, according to the rules and discipline presecribed in the Military Laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This commission to continue in force during the term of six years, or until a successor is elected.

{Seal}

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and the Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed. Done at Frankfort, the 27^th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixty one, and in the 69^t year of the Commonwealth.

B. Magoffin

BY THE GOVERNOR:
Thos B Monroe Jr, Secretary of State.

OATH.

I do solemnly swear, that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, so long as I continue a citizen thereof, and that I will faithfully execute, to the best of my abilities, the office of 1^st Lieutenant according to law; and I do further solemnly swear, that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons, within this State nor out of it, with a citizen of this State; nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, with a citizen of this State; nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, or aided or assisted any person thus offending — so help me God.

Jos L Davis

Subscribed and sworn before me, a Justice of the Peace for Spencer County, Kentucky, this 24 day of June, 1861.

J. J. Wood J. P. S. C
Justice of the Peace.

I hereby resign the within Commission
Joseph L. Davis
Sept 18 1861

accepted
B. Magoffin
Com^r in Chief —