Summer 2025 PD for K–12 teachers: Registration is now open!
Edict.
14 April 1865
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Granting amnesty to a group of confederate prisoners provided they take oath (one of the last official acts before his assisination), under Andrew Johnson, ES,4/12/1865.
GLC08091
Order to affix the seal
21 March 1873
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Order to affix the seal to a warrant for the pardon of Leon McLemon
GLC08114
Pardon of Prince L. Hudgins
02 March 1865
Pardon of Prince L. Hudgins, under indictment in Missouri for conspiring against the government of the U.S.
GLC08163
Grant for presidential pardon
19 June 1962
Kennedy, Robert Francis, 1925-1968
Grant for presidential pardon to Charles Henry Durner, who was convicted of falsifying documents. With legal files.
GLC08173
[Collection of 3 letters regarding Lieutenant Frank Williams of the 13th North Carolina, a Confederate parolee captured at Gettysburg]. Decimalized.
June 1864
See descriptions in GLC08247.01-.03
GLC08247
to Conrad Baker
17 June 1864
Meriweather, J.B., fl. 1864
Meriweather writes to Colonel Baker about the 7 March 1864 arrest of Lieutenant Frank Williams of the 13th North Carolina, a parolee captured at Gettysburg, for disloyal conduct, including "using the most obscene and vulgar language towards the...
GLC08247.01
to Edward M. Stanton
27 June 1864
Harlan, James, fl. 1864
Senator Harlan requests that Secretary of War Stanton make sure the case of Lieutenant Frank Williams be given special consideration. He was captured at Gettysburg and provided information that prevented the escape of some other Confederates,...
GLC08247.03
[Presidential pardon of Richard Hayden, who was convicted of destroying letters stolen from the mail].
25 May 1863
Pardon signed by Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of State Seward. Hayden was in an "advanced stage of pulmonary consumption" at the time of the pardon.
GLC08253
"I have concluded to issue a pardon in the case of Percy Walker" (Former U.S. Congressman from Alabama, and brother of Confederate Secretary of War.)
30 September 1865
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
GLC08287
to Lucy Knox
22 July 1776
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Indicates that he found an indentured servant, Thomas Eliot, for Lucy (see Lucy's request for one in GLC02437.00383) and has purchased three years of his labor. Mentions that Captain Sebastian Bauman's family "have gone into the Jersies" and asks...
GLC02437.00385
to Ulysses S. Grant re: petition for executive clemency for Mrs. William Mason
circa April 1870
Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893
Autograph note signed as Governor of Ohio, appended to a petition (and character testimonial) for Mrs. William Mason (nee Sarah Anderson), jailed for postal fraud. Also with the notes and endorsements of the U.S. Judge, Marshall and Sheriff, all on...
GLC02053
to William Pinkney
1 October 1807
Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Monroe, Joint Minister to Great Britain with Pinkney, sends to Pinkney an enclosed commission and letters of credence (not included) to the British King and Queen. States that the United States government hopes that Pinkney will take Monroe's place...
GLC02098
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of James Brown].
2 January 1873
GLC02066
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Van Kennedy].
13 August 1872
GLC02110
to Andrew Johnson
20 March 1866
Newell, William A., fl. 1866
Written as a member of the House of Representatives for New Jersey to oblige Augusta, Georgia, resident Henry W. Hilliard, a former member of Congress. Newell asks for Johnson's signature on pardon warrants for Georgians Baldwin B. Miller, W. C...
GLC02078
to Amos J. Harding
23 July 1865
Glaze, H.S., fl. 1865
Mustered out of service on 13 July and finally feels like a free citizen. Has not gone into business yet and is not sure where and what business he will get into, but it will happen soon. In St. Louis, he saw a mutual friend, who looked fine as...
GLC02178.10
to George Washington
21 April 1782
Copy in Samuel Shaw's hand and signed by him for both Knox and Morris. Knox and Morris assumed the public would be interested in the POW report they recently submitted to Congress, so they wrote this letter for Washington with information they...
GLC02437.01395
Dear Sir
27 August 1798
Adams, John, 1735-1826
As President, sending a"petition of Parson Smith for a Pardon of a very serious crime.… request you to inclose the Papers to the Secretary of State and Attorney General for their consideration. If they and you agree in advising me to pardon the...
GLC09335
[Authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to the pardon of William Edwards].
March 28, 1861
Very early authority, dated three weeks after Lincoln's inauguration.
GLC02317
to Gen. Henry Benham re: stay of execution for Priv. Grey & Cusick
29 April 1864
Accompanied by a forged Lincoln AES dated 3/22/1865, ordering an unnamed person be allowed to take the oath of Dec. 8 (clipped from a letter).
GLC02371.01
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of George W. Marples].
18 September 1862
GLC02378
Lincoln Pardons Conspirator on Plea of an English Statesman
March 1939
Bullard, F. Lauriston, 1866-1952
GLC08880.088
to Smith Thompson
12 November 1821
Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
Transmits a pardon (not included) for Thomas Bryant made on condition of his leaving the country. Thompson was Secretary of the Navy.
GLC08916
[Telegraph to James G. Martin]
30 July 1863
Cooper, Samuel, 1798-1876
Manuscript copy of a telegraph sent to Brigadier James G. Martin ordering "the execution of privates William Leggett & Canada Barnes...suspended until further notice." Docket contains autograph endorsement signed by Charles Grice Elliot, Martin's...
GLC02233.33
to Henry Knox
September 30, 1791
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Knox mentions a letter he wrote to Henry on September 7, from Cork, Ireland. Says affairs in France have taken a turn since the King accepted the constitution. He was also given a 12,000 pound yearly allowance and was allowed to retain most of his...
GLC02437.05176
[Remarks on the disfranchisement of the Massachusetts rebels]
1 March 1787
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Expresses views and thoughts about rebellions, in relation to the recent Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. Writes, "The spirit of rebellion is now nearly crushed in this state, and the opposition to Government is hereby decreasing. This therefore is...
GLC02437.03477
to Lucy Flucker Knox
7 November 1793
References receiving two of Lucy's letters. Has enclosed a letter for Henry Jackson Knox (not included). Does not have a complaint about her leaving on Wednesday, just wants her to be happy and comfortable. Does not believe it prudent to go into...
GLC02437.05962
to Thomas Rutter
November 13, 1816
Secretary of State Monroe asks the Marshal of Maryland for details of the cases against Joseph Hollingsworth, William Ellicott Jr. and Sr., Thomas Hartley, Levi Hartley, Samuel Hartley Jr., Seneca Parry. These men were Quakers who had refused to bear...
GLC00043.06
[Presidential pardon of a group of Quakers for refusing to bear arms in militia].
November 20, 1816
Madison, James, 1751-1836
Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Intended for Joseph Hollingsworth, William Ellicott Jr. and Sr., Thomas Hartley, Levi Hartley, Samuel Hartley Jr., and Seneca Parry, who were arrested in Maryland. Partially filled out.
GLC00043.02
[Transmittal letter for blank pardon form].
Possibly for a group of Quakers arrested for refusing to bear arms. Writing as secretary of state.
GLC00043.07
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Joseph Shoemaker].
20 April 1863
GLC05227
[Pardon of William Peacock]
February 1, 1865
Pardoning William Peacock, a Union army deserter, with the condition that he serve in the army for two years. With General John A. Dix note on verso dated 6 February 1865 stating that Brigadier General [Lewis Cass] Hunt in New York will execute the...
GLC05278
[Presidential pardon of John G. English for rebellion].
10 September 1865
Signed by Andrew Johnson as President. Countersigned by William H. Seward as Secretary of State. English's plantation was in Aberdeen, Mississippi. White seal on second page. Document was originally folded into sixths.
GLC05460
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of eight men].
8 March 1878
Conditional pardon for John P. Muncie, Lewis Spencer, John M. Hibbard, William Griffin, William W. Workman, Henry Holzhauser, Samuel Walters, Eugene Slinker, John Frazier and James M. Norris.
GLC05489
January 15, 1866
Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877
Letter draft written in prison by the former commander the CSS "Alabama" to the President defending himself against all charges. Discusses the surrender agreement at Greensboro, the definition of treason, the United States Constitution, and his...
GLC05590
[Presidential pardon and U.S. Army discharge pouch of George W. Peters [Decimalized]
1 May 1908
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
GLC05653
[Presidential pardon of George W. Peters, who deserted the navy on 27 March 1897 by Theodore Roosevelt]
Deserted the vessel the "Puritan" who re-enlisted twice--28 March 1898 and 5 September 1901 aboard the Richmond--as George W. Rogers, and served normally until discharged. Pardoned based on service to country and recommendation of the Acting...
GLC05653.01
A Proclamation...concerning the Utah War and its necessity.
6 April 1858
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
Printed declaration by President Buchanan proclaiming that a state of rebellion exists in the Territory of Utah, and offering a pardon to all citizens who submit to the authority of the United States government. The present proclamation mentions...
GLC05708
[Presidential pardon of S.S. Lee for offenses arising from the rebellion]
20 September 1866
This document is a Presidential pardon of S.S. Lee for offenses committed during the Civil War. It is filled out and signed by Andrew Johnson as President and countersigned by William H. Seward as Secretary of State. Accompanied by a white seal.
GLC05782
Pardon of California judge Gavin Craig convicted in Italo Petroleum case
17 September 1942
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
The judge was convicted of "Conspiracy to endeavor to obstruct justice...." in the Italo Petroleum Case. With pardon attorney's warrant and file of supporting original petitions.
GLC05912
[Presidential pardon of Philip D. Roddey for his participation in the rebellion]
February 17, 1866
This document is a Presidential pardon in which President Andrew Johnson granted Philip D. Roddey a full pardon and amnesty from crimes committed during the rebellion. Roddey was nicknamed "the Swamp Fox of Tennessee." The pardon was countersigned by...
GLC05921
[Pardon of Jose F. Gandara, convicted of conspiracy to start a military expedition against Mexico 3 December 1927]
March 31, 1930
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
Jose F. Gandara was convicted by the U.S. District Court of Arizona of conspiracy to "set foot or provide means for a military expedition against a friendly power, the republic of Mexico." He was sentenced to two years in the McNeil Island...
GLC05964
[Presidential authorization to the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to the pardon of Nathiel W. Watkins].
11 March 1862
Watkins was the half-brother of Henry Clay, who had commanded a corps of Confederate Missouri Guards at the beginning of the Civil War. Document is perforated for inclusion in binder.
GLC05968
[Pardon of Lorenzo Dow for the murder of a ship captain].
7 August 1841
Tyler, John, 1790-1862
Countersigned by Secretary of State Daniel Webster. Dow was convicted for the murder of Captain William C. Langdon of the Brig "Francis" while at sea and sentenced to be hung. Pardoned because he was "...a fit subject for the interposition of the...
GLC05976
to George G. Meade re: stay of execution for two Union privates
24 September 1863
Also requesting the facts of the cases. Signed twice (the second time on a postscript). Lincoln stays the execution for two privates, one whose name Lincoln can't remember in the 1st Regiment NJ Vols., and one of Private Daniel Sullivan in the 13th...
GLC06039
[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Johanna Foley, alias Johanna O'Conne, convicted of bigamy].
22 April 1852
Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874
GLC06048
[Presidential pardon of Charles Anderson, who was covicted of selling liquor to Indians]
12 August 1899
McKinley, William, 1843-1901
Anderson was pardoned by McKinley. Countersigned by James E. Bayard, acting Attorney General. includes seal.
GLC06105
[Pardon of George Carroll by Andrew Johnson]
17 April 1865
Convicted of highway robbery. Pardoned because he was immature at the time of the crime, he had reformed and repented, and the pardon was recommended by many respected citizens. (c/s William Hunter, Acting Secretary of State)
GLC06351
[Presidential pardon and authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Lawson Eastham, charged with treason].
7 August 1865
Andrew Johnson granted Lawson a full parson and amnesty for all the offences he comitted. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.
GLC06408
[Sentence commutation for Fernando Robert Edward Ludicke, convicted for violating the Espionage Act on 18 September 1918]
22 April 1919
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Fernando Ludicke, alias Robert Edwards, was convicted of violating the espionage Act of June 15, 1917 in the U.S. District Court of Western Pennsylvania and sentenced to 18 months to be served in the Maryland State Penitentiary at Baltimore, Maryland...
GLC06598
Showing results 1 - 50