Beschreibung:

LINCOLN, ABRAHAM, President . Document signed ("Abraham Lincoln") as President, countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward, Washington, D.C., 27 December 1864. 1 1/2 pages, folio, large paper seal over wax with impression of the Great Seal of the United States (affixed to blank portion to the left of Lincoln's signature, faint yellowing at edges, slight fold tears, but in otherwise good condition. THREE DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS, LINCOLN PARDONS A YOUNG HORSE-THIEF A good example of a Lincoln pardon, a type of document which has become noticeably scarcer in recent years. It is of interest since it is granted to a youthful offender (age 17 at the date of conviction) who had already served two years of his three-year sentence for horse-stealing, and for the fact that it was granted only days after Christmas. "Whereas, at the July Term, A.D. 1860, of the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia, one William Fugitt was convicted of Horse stealing, and was sentenced to imprisonment in the penitentiary for the term of three years; And whereas, the said William Fugitt was a youth of seventeen years at the date of his conviction, and there is reason to believe that he was not hardened in vice, but was the tool of older criminals; And whereas, the said William Fugitt has now suffered three-fourths of his alotted term, conducting himself in an exemplary manner, and his pardon is besought by many respectable citizens of the said District....I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States...in consideration of the premises, divers other good and sufficient reasons me thereunto moving; have granted and do hereby grant unto him, the said William Fugitt, a full and unconditional pardon...."