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LINCOLN SIGNSWEEKS BEFORE HIS ASSASSINATION
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LINCOLN, ABRAHAM. Endorsement Signed, “A.
Lincoln,” as President, “Let him be released on taking the oath of
Dec. 8, 1863,” on a clipped portion of a letter. The text of the
endorsement, in the hand of his secretary, John Hay. 1
3
/
4
x3 inches;
illegible text in another hand verso, remnants of prior mounting at
corners verso.
[Washington], 9 March 1865
[3,500/5,000]
In his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, issued December 8,
1863, Lincoln offered a pardon and restoration of property to all partici-
pants in the rebellion against the Union who swear an oath (with certain
exceptions).The oath specifically required the “support [of] all acts of con-
gress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves . . . .”
(Actual Size)