Description:

Cleveland Grover 1837 - 1908 Presidential nominee Gov. Grover Cleveland tells Union Gen. Franz Sigel, who has campaigned for him, that, as requested, he has pardoned William Blumenauer, a German-American convicted of assault and incarcerated at Sing Sing Prison

Autograph Letter Signed "Grover Cleveland" as Governor of New York, 2p, 4.75" x 7.75", front & verso, with blank integral leaf. Fine condition. With original stamped envelope, 5" x 4", back flap missing, soiled at top edge, addressed by Cleveland to "Genl Franz Sigel / (Morrisania) / New York City." Postmarked Albany, N.Y., Sep 17.

In full, "I have to=day determined to pardon William Blumenauer whose case you presented to me last month I think. I have arrived at a conclusion favorable to the application upon the Statement of the district attorney, and the other facts appearing in the presentation of the case, which satisfied me that I could relieve this unfortunate man and restore him to his family, so much in need of his help, and at the same be just to the people."

"The New York Times" reported on September 18, 1884, that "The Governor has pardoned William Blumenauer, convicted in New-York of assault in the second degree and sentenced March 26, 1884, to imprisonment in Sing Sing Prison for the term of two years and six months." Headlined on page two, the "Times" published Gov. Cleveland's reasons. In part, "'The offense of this convict consisted in wounding with an ordinary pocketknife the complainant in the midst of a scuffle which had been preceded by a violent quarrel. From statements made by the District Attorney I gather that the complainant, who was a larger and stronger man than the convict, was the assailant, and that though there was no actual justification for the use of a weapon, the circumstances surrounding the affair mitigated to a great extent the conduct of the prisoner... Eight of the jurymen by whom he was convicted join in the petition for his pardon. The convict was engaged in the milk business prior to his conviction, and has a wife and a number of children. I am satisfied that his continued imprisonment will result in the destruction of his business, and reduce his family to actual want...This convict has been in prison for nearly six months, and I am satisfied that the ends of justice will be subserved and this offender against the law sufficiently punished if he be now pardoned.'" A photocopy of the article is present.

President Cleveland appointed Gen. Franz Sigel as Pension Agent for the City of New York. He served from 1886 until new Republican Pres. Benjamin Harrison replaced him in 1889.

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