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NAVY DEPARTMENT,

October 2d, 1856.

Sir:

You are hereby appointed an Acting Midshipman in the Navy of the United
States from the 30th September, 1856, to join the 3d Class.

If, after the course of attendance at the Naval Academy prescribed by the
Revised Regulations approved January 25, 1855, you shall satisfactorily pass the
graduating examination, you will receive from the Academic Board the "certificate of
graduation" referred to in the 5th section of the 6th chapter of the above Regulations,
which shall entitle you to a warrant as a Midshipman in the U. S. Navy, bearing
the date of the certificate. If, however, you shall fail to obtain such certificate, you will
be dropped from the list.

Enclosed is a copy of the requisite oath, which, having taken and subscribed, you
will transmit to the Department with your letter of acceptance, in which you will state
your age.

I am, respectfully, &c,
Chas. W. Welsh
Acting Secretary of the Navy.

Acting Midshipman

Alfred Thayer Mahan
of the 10th Con. District,
of New York
U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.