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 August Kesling, alias August Kesting/Kestenger, convicted of transmitting forged federal documents.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00043.17 Author/Creator: Pierce, Franklin (1804-1869) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 28 July 1854 Pagination: 2 p. + docket 43 x 28 cm Order a Copy

Convicted of transmitting forged federal documents; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Pardoned for "...divers other good and sufficient reasons..." (c/s William L. Marcy)

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

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