Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) [Presidential pardon of Rasmus Benson who in Maryland in September 1862 was convicted of inflicting cruel and unusual punishment on a seaman].
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00043.21 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 16 December 1862 Pagination: 2 p. + docket 42 x 27 cm Order a Copy
Pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because Benson had been imprisoned for failure to pay the fine, because Benson's offense against the Criminalizing Mutiny on the High Seas Act (March 3, 1835, c. 40, sec. 1 and 2) was of a technical nature, and because the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case had petitioned on his behalf. Countersigned by William H. Seward.
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