Comprises, in date order: Marriage certificate between J.R. Lewis and Mary A. Chatman, pictorially engraved. Jan. 10, 1859. * Holograph pencil copy of a three-page letter recommending Lewis a territorial judgeship. Jany. 29, 1869. * Large engraved commission appointing Joseph R. Lewis as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Idaho, signed by U.S. Grant as President, and Hamilton Fish as Secretary of State. April 15, 1869. * A.L.s. from George G. Wright, U.S. Senator from Iowa, addressed to The President, introducing and recommending Lewis for a judgeship in New Mexico, since he had been deposed(?) from his judgeship in Idaho. 21 Jan. 1871. * Manuscript letter, signed by U.S. Attorney General Amos T. Akerman, notifying Lewis of his appointment as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico. May 25, 1871. * Manuscript letter, signed by U.S. Attorney General Amos T. Akerman, accompanying the preceding letter, briefly discussing the appointment. Marked "(Unofficial)". May 25, 1871. * Large engraved commission appointing Joseph R. Lewis as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory, signed by U.S. Grant as President, and Hamilton Fish as Secretary of State. March 21, 1872. * Manuscript letter signed by George H. Williams, U.S. Attorney General, to Lewis, transmitting preceding commission. March 30, 1872. * Large engraved commission appointing Joseph R. Lewis as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory, signed by U.S. Grant as President, and Hamilton Fish as Secretary of State. Jan. 26. 1875. * A.L.s. from Charles Devens, Attornty General under President Rutherford B. Hayes, to Lewis, "I have received your note of the 22nd inst. in which you denounce the letter tendering your resignation to the President, as a forgery..." June 4, 1877. * Western Union telegraph form, from Devens to Lewis, "There has been no removal the president has deemed proper to send in another name to the Senate I do not feel authorized to promise a withdrawl..." 2 Jan. 187- (docketed July 1879 on verso). * Certificate of admission for Lewis to the Bar of the State of Oregon. Jan. 25, 1883. Together, 12 items.

Interesting archive including three judicial commissions signed by Ulysses S. Grant.