Lot 37
Johnson, Andrew and William H. Seward. Transcribed copies of the original Presidential pardons for the conspirators Dr. Samuel Mudd, Edmund Spangler and Samuel Arnold, 8pp, 10 x 8", originally signed in Washington, 8 Feb. 1869. With clipped signatures of Andrew Johnson and William H. Seward affixed to the copy of the pardon for Dr. Mudd; Seward's clipped signature is also affixed to the pardons for Spangler and Arnold. These copies were part of The Sang Collection which included the original pardons, and were made some 100 years ago as display copies to accompanied the original pardons.
Dr. Samuel Mudd (1833-83) was convicted of aiding and conspiring with John Wilkes Booth, who stopped at Mudd's house after the assassination to have his broken leg set; it came out in testimony that Mudd knew Booth previously. Spangler (1825-75) worked at Ford's Theatre and was convicted of conspiring with Booth, even though the evidence was questionable. Arnold (1834-1906) had been part of the original plot to kidnap Lincoln and to exchange him for Confederate prisoners. He was charged with complicity and sentenced to life, along with Mudd, Spangler, and Michael O'Laughlen (1840-67), who was also part of the conspiracy to kidnap Lincoln. O'Laughlen died in prison, and President Andrew Johnson, after being importuned by Dr. Mudd's defense attorney, Thomas Ewing, Jr. pardoned Dr. Mudd and the other men.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
Sang Collection.
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