Description:

President Ulysses S. Grant authorizes a rare extradition of an accused forger and embezzler from French custody

ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885) Partly-printed Document Signed, "U.S. Grant," as President, 2 pages, 10.5" x 15.5", Washington, April 9, 1875, authorizing the extradition of a fugitive charged with "Forgery and Embezzlement..." Countersigned, "Hamilton Fish," as Secretary of State and with embossed paper seal of the United States affixed at top left of the second page. Very light toning, weak folds repaired on interior of bifolium, else very good.

An unusual document in which Grant authorizes James M. Leary to take "Charles Claremont charged with the crimes of Forgery and Embezzlement... a fugitive from the justice of the United Sates, in France;... you are hereby authorized and empowered, in virtue of the treaty aforesaid, and in execution thereof, to receive the said Charles Claremont as aforesaid, and to take and hold him in your custody and conduct him from such place of delivery in France, by the most direct and convenient means of transpiration, to and into the United States, there to surrender the said Charles Claremont, to the proper authorities of the State of New York..."

We have learned precious little about Claremont's case in the course of our research. However, a "Dr. Charles Claremont," identified as a phrenologist, was arrested in 1904 for forging a pass (Houston Chronicle, January 6, 1904, 8). A "Dr. Charles Claremont, [of] London, England" also appears as a visitor to the Texas State Fair in October 1903. (Dallas Morning News, October 11, 1903, 8).

Very rare. While pardons signed by Grant appear on the market with some regularity, authorizations for extradition are very rare. The last example to appear in the market was in 1983 (Sotheby's, Jan 26, 1983, Lot 64).

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