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Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) [Presidential pardon of John W. Demaine, who had been convicted in the District of Columbia of larceny in August 1856].

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02777 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 27 September 1861 Pagination: 2 p. 41 x 25 cm Order a Copy

Demaine was pardoned near the end of his term because he was young and inexperienced at the time of the commission of the crime and under the influence of older persons and because the jurors who had rendered the verdict against him were recommending it, as well as a number of highly respected citizens. Signed by Abraham Lincoln. Countersigned by Secretary of State William H. Seward.

Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States of America.
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greetings:

Whereas, it appears that at the August Term, 1856, of the Criminal Court of the District of Columbia, one John W. Demaine was indicted and convicted for larceny, and was by the said Court sentenced to be imprisoned in the Penitentiary of said District for the period of six years;
And whereas, the said John W. Demaine has now served out more than five years of his said term of imprisonment, and it has been made to appear to me that he was young and inexperienced at the time when he committed the offence whereof he stands convicted, and that he was led into crime through the influence of persuasion of persons older than himself;
And whereas, the jurors who rendered the verdict against the said John W. Demaine have recommended his pardon in consideration of his youth and of his good character previous to his arrest and conviction as aforesaid;
And whereas, a number of highly respectable citizens of the said District of Columbia, have earnestly besought me to extend the Executive clemency to the said John W. Demaine;
Now therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, divers other good and sufficient reasons me thereunto moving, have granted, and do hereby grant into him, the said John W. Demaine, 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
Twenty-seventh day of September, A.D
1861, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-sixth.

Abraham Lincoln
By the President

William Seward.
Secretary of State

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Seward, William H. (William Henry), 1801-1872

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