Description:

Gerald Ford
Rockville, MD, April 22, 1986
G. Ford Preserves Brownsville Raid "Pardon of the Battalion of the 25th U.S. Infantry Colored" Materials, One of Most Significant Acts of Racial Justice in Presidential History
TLS
Typed letter signed, by President Gerald R. Ford, dated April 22, 1986, and addressed to Paul K. Carr of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. The letter expresses Ford's gratitude for receiving historical materials which he will preserve at his library related to the Brownsville Affair, a racially charged incident that led to the wrongful discharge of 167 African American soldiers from the 25th U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1906 which Ford would pardon during his presidency, marking one of the most significant acts of racial justice in presidential history. Boldly signed as "Gerald R. Ford" and in fine condition. Accompanied by a ready to frame, 8.5" x 11" modern glossy photo paper copy of the "Remember Brownsville" Anti- Roosevelt poster. The letter measures 6.25" x 8.5."

In full:

"Dear Mr. Carr:

Thank you so much for your letter of April 18, 1986, enclosing an original copy of the Congressional Record from 1907 concerning the Brownsville Raid. I also deeply appreciate the cover letter from Senator Benjamin Tillman, of South Carolina, addressed to your grandmother, Mrs. Mary Snyder.

The materials which you have generously forwarded are being transmitted to the Gerald R. Ford Library on the campus of the University of Michigan, where they can be properly preserved for historical purposes. This material will be a fine addition to records relating to my pardon of the Battalion of the 25th United States Infantry, Colored.

Let me reiterate my gratitude for your thoughtfulness.

Warmest, best wishes,

Gerald R. Ford"

The Brownsville Affair occurred on August 13, 1906, in Brownsville, Texas, when shots were fired in town, killing a white bartender and wounding a police officer. The blame was immediately placed on Black soldiers of the 25th Infantry, despite a lack of evidence and strong indications of racial hostility from the local community. Without due process, President Theodore Roosevelt ordered the dishonorable discharge of all 167 Black soldiers, stripping them of military benefits and pensions. The case remained a stain on American military history and an example of racial injustice within the armed forces.

In 1972, historian John D. Weaver published The Brownsville Raid, which brought new attention to the grave miscarriage of justice and spurred efforts to clear the soldiers' names. Responding to this historical wrong, President Gerald R. Ford issued a full pardon to the 25th Infantry on September 13, 1972, marking one of the most significant acts of racial justice in presidential history. Ford restored the soldiers' honor and benefits, stating that they had been wrongfully accused without evidence.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6.25" x 8.5"
  • Medium: TLS

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