Buchanan, James (1791-1868) [Pardon of Minard Granger for counterfeiting coins].
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01093 Author/Creator: Buchanan, James (1791-1868) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 13 September 1860 Pagination: 2 p. ; 42.2 x 27 cm. Order a Copy
Countersigned by Secretary of State Lewis Cass. Minard Granger was convicted in October, 1853, and imprisoned in Auburn, New York. Buchanan pardoned Granger near the end of his sentence on the recommendation of his trial judge N. K. Hall. Reasons cited were that Granger gave valuable information to the marshal after his conviction and that his health had been destroyed by imprisonment. Incldues a blue paper ribbon on second page.
James Buchanan,
President of the United States of America.
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas, it appears that at the October Term, 1853, of the Circuit Court of the United States of America for the Northern District of New York, Minard Granger was convicted upon an indictment for making counterfeit coin and was by the said Court sentenced to be imprisoned in the State Prison at Auburn in said District for the term of eight years.
And whereas the said Minard Granger has already served out nearly seven years of his said term of imprisonment, and the Honorable N. K. Hall, the Judge before whom he was tried and convicted has earnestly recommended his pardon on the ground that after his conviction he gave valuable information to the Marshal; that his health has been broken down by the long imprisonment he has suffered and that he has now "been more than sufficiently punished";
Now therefore, be it known that I, James Buchanan, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the promises, divers other good and sufficient reason me there unto moving, have granted and do hereby grant unto him, the said Minard Granger, a full and unconditional pardon.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this thirteenth day of September, I. D. 1860, and of the Independence of the United States, the Eighty-fifth.
James Buchanan
By the President:
{signed} Secretary of State
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.