Description:

Lincoln Abraham

President Abraham Lincoln boldly signs a prisoner discharge note, 3.25" x 1.5". Signed as "A. Lincoln", with the note penned in another hand of  "Let him be released on taking the oath of Dec 8, 1863"..  Note is lightly toned along outer edge, and maintains strong, vibrant, contrasting ink. Beautifully presented framed together with a lovely engraving of Lincoln. Framed using an ivory linen mat, and a rubbed gilt toned frame to a completed size of 13" x 17.5". Frame with a scant few nicks.

 

The Oath of December 8 was announced by Lincoln on that day in his annual message to Congress in 1863. He would offer a pardon to any man who would swear, without coercion, his allegiance to the Union. The Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction provided, then, a general pardon to soldiers in the Rebellion, and to those, too, who deserted the Union cause.

 

The 'Oath' reads in part:

 

 I, (NAME) do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the union of states thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves...So help me God.”

 

By this point in the Civil War, it was clear that Lincoln needed to make some preliminary plans for postwar reconstruction. The Union armies had captured large sections of the South, and some states were ready to have their governments rebuilt. The proclamation addressed three main areas of concern. First, it allowed for a full pardon for and restoration of property to all engaged in the rebellion with the exception of the highest Confederate officials and military leaders. Second, it allowed for a new state government to be formed when 10 percent of the eligible voters had taken an oath of allegiance to the United States. Third, the Southern states admitted in this fashion were encouraged to enact plans to deal with the freed slaves so long as their freedom was not compromised.

In short, the terms of the plan were easy for most Southerners to accept. Though the emancipation of slaves was an impossible pill for some Confederates to swallow, Lincoln’s plan was charitable, considering the costliness of the war. With the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, Lincoln was seizing the initiative for reconstruction from Congress. Some Radical Republicans thought the plan was far too easy on the South, but others accepted it because of the president’s prestige and leadership.

A near fine example of stunning Abraham Lincoln signature, Scarce as such. Made all the more important for its content. Lincoln's "Oath" was offered to individuals who had sided with the Confederate South and engaged in the rebellion, and in an act of Good Faith pardoned them.

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