Johnson, Andrew (1808-1875) [Presidential pardon of S.S. Lee for offenses arising from the rebellion]
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 #: GLC05782 Author/Creator: Johnson, Andrew (1808-1875) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 20 September 1866 Pagination: 2 p. ; 45.6 x 29.4 cm. Order a Copy
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.
ANDREW JOHNSON
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME GREETING:
Whereas, S.S. Lee, of, by taking part in the late rebellion against the Government of the United States has made himself liable to heavy pains and penalties;
And whereas, the circumstances of his case render a proper object of Executive clemency;
Now, therefore, be it know, that I, ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, divers[e] other good and sufficient reasons me thereunto moving, do hereby grant to the said S.S. Lee, a full pardon and amnesty for all offences by him committed, arising from participation, direct or implied, in the said rebellion, conditioned as follows,
1st. This pardon to begin and take effect from the day on which the said S.S. Lee shall take the oath prescribed in the Proclamation of the President, dated May 29th 1865.
2d. To be void and of no effect if the said S.S. Lee shall hereafter, at any time, acquire any property whatever in slaves, or make use of slave labor, [2]
3d. That the said S.S. Lee, first pay all costs which may have accrued in any proceedings instituted or pending against his person or property, before the date of the acceptance of this warrant.
4th. That the said S.S.. Lee, shall not, by virtue of this warrant, claim any property or the proceeds of any property that has been sold by the order, judgment, or decree of a court under the confiscation laws of the United States.
5th. That the said S.S. Lee, shall notify the Secretary of State, in writing, that he has received and accepted the foregoing 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 twentieth day of September, A.D. 1866, and of the Independence of the United States and the Ninety first.
Andrew Johnson
By the President:
Will H Seward
Acting 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.