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Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) [Presidential pardon of Albert Horn, who had been convicted in New York in October 1862 of fitting out the ship, City of Norfolk, for trade in slaves]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00044.03 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 21 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 41 x 27 cm Order a Copy

Horn was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln because, on the testimony of the physician of the county jail of New York and that of Dr. A. Jacobi, professor in the New York Medical College, and by Dr. T. S. Edwards of New York that Horn was suffering from disease of the lungs and liver which had been aggravated while he was imprisoned and this aggravation would materially shorten his life were his imprisonment to continue. Also because this opinion was concurred in by Robert Murray, United States Marshal for this district and because of the petition of Peter V. King and Simeon Draper of New York, who had recommended Horn as a fit object for executive clemency. 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, Greeting:
Whereas, it appears that at the October Term, 1862, of the United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York, Albert Horn was indicted for and convicted of the crime of fitting out a vessel for trade in Slaves, and sentenced to imprisonment therefore; -
And whereas, it is represented by the Physician of the County Jail of New York, by Dr. A. Jacobi, Professor in the New York Medical College, and by Dr. T. S. Edwards of New York, from personal examination and knowledge of the condition of the said Albert Horn, that he is suffering from seated disease of the lungs and liver, which have been aggravated by his confinement in prison, and which, if such confinement shall be prolonged, will result in materially shortening his life;
And whereas, Robert Murray, Esqre. ~,,~ United States Marshal for the said District, [2] concurs in the said statement, and recommends his pardon on that ground; -
And whereas, Peter V. King, Simeon Draper, and other respectable citizens of New York, recommend the said Albert Horn as a proper object of Executive clemency;-
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 unto him the said Albert Horn, 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-first day of May, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-seventh.

Abraham Lincoln

By the President:

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.

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

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