LINCOLN ASSASSINATION]. STANTON, Edwin (1814-1869), Secretary of War . Autograph letter signed ("Edwin M. Stanton"), to Dr. John P. Gray, Washington City, 29 June 1865. 1 page, 4to, ruled paper, on War Department stationery, tipped to another sheet . STANTON THANKS DR. GRAY FOR HIS WORK ON THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION PROSECUTION A letter thanking a medical consultant for his work evaluating the mental competence of Lewis Payne (whose real name was Powell) and the other Lincoln assassination conspirators. The letter reads in full: "Your report on the cases of Payne and other prisoners now on trial before the Military Commission at Washington has been received, and is highly satisfactory to this department. In relieving you from further duty it is proper to render to you the cordial thanks of this department for the ability, industry and fidelity with which you have performed the important duties wherewith you were charged by me, and to express my personal thanks and gratification. I would also request you to return my thanks to your Board for enabling the government to avail itself of your important service. With sincere regard I am truly your friend." Lincoln himself had consulted with Dr. Gray as far back as 1863 to advise him on the sanity of defendants in capital cases. Payne's sanity was a central aspect of his trial. His grisly task in the conspiracy had been to cut the throat of Secretary of State William H. Seward. He stabbed and beat five people in the Seward household on the night of the attack, but fortunately failed to inflict any fatal wounds. His conduct after his arrest was so bizarre, his mind so obviously sluggish and simple, that his counsel tried to mount a defense of "moral insanity," claiming that the simple-minded Payne had fallen so completely under the control of Booth that he no longer had a will of his own. None of it persuaded the Commission which found Payne guilty and sentenced him to death. He was hanged along with Mary Surrat, David Herold and George Atzerodt on 7 July 1865.
LINCOLN ASSASSINATION]. STANTON, Edwin (1814-1869), Secretary of War . Autograph letter signed ("Edwin M. Stanton"), to Dr. John P. Gray, Washington City, 29 June 1865. 1 page, 4to, ruled paper, on War Department stationery, tipped to another sheet . STANTON THANKS DR. GRAY FOR HIS WORK ON THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION PROSECUTION A letter thanking a medical consultant for his work evaluating the mental competence of Lewis Payne (whose real name was Powell) and the other Lincoln assassination conspirators. The letter reads in full: "Your report on the cases of Payne and other prisoners now on trial before the Military Commission at Washington has been received, and is highly satisfactory to this department. In relieving you from further duty it is proper to render to you the cordial thanks of this department for the ability, industry and fidelity with which you have performed the important duties wherewith you were charged by me, and to express my personal thanks and gratification. I would also request you to return my thanks to your Board for enabling the government to avail itself of your important service. With sincere regard I am truly your friend." Lincoln himself had consulted with Dr. Gray as far back as 1863 to advise him on the sanity of defendants in capital cases. Payne's sanity was a central aspect of his trial. His grisly task in the conspiracy had been to cut the throat of Secretary of State William H. Seward. He stabbed and beat five people in the Seward household on the night of the attack, but fortunately failed to inflict any fatal wounds. His conduct after his arrest was so bizarre, his mind so obviously sluggish and simple, that his counsel tried to mount a defense of "moral insanity," claiming that the simple-minded Payne had fallen so completely under the control of Booth that he no longer had a will of his own. None of it persuaded the Commission which found Payne guilty and sentenced him to death. He was hanged along with Mary Surrat, David Herold and George Atzerodt on 7 July 1865.
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Create an alert![LINCOLN ASSASSINATION]. STANTON, Edwin (1814-1869), Secretary of War...](http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d44678/d4467809r.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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