Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 Pardon of the owners of the Steamer "Osiris," convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00043.18 Author/Creator: Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Document signed Date: July 12, 1855 Pagination: 2 p. ; Height: 42 cm, Width: 27 cm Order a Copy

Convicted of endangering lives of passengers by not having sufficient amount of life preservers; sentenced to pay $500 fine and additional $71.30 for violation of U.S. transportation safety law of 30 August 1852 [5th Section]. Conditionally pardoned, in that the $500 fine be remitted while the law violation penalty [$71.30] and other court costs be paid. (c/s W.L. Marcy)

Marcy, W.L., fl. 1854-1855
Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

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