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.

Madison, James (1751-1836) [Pardon of marines Thomas Potts and George Allen for desertion].

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 #: GLC00049 Author/Creator: Madison, James (1751-1836) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 12 February 1813 Pagination: 1 p. 40 x 26 cm Order a Copy

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Potts had been convicted of desertion in June 1812. Allen had been convicted of desertion in August 1812. Both had been sentenced to be shot. Pardoned by Madison for "divers good causes and considerations."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources