Lot 26
Nixon, Richard M. Printed document signed ("Richard Nixon"), 5 pages, 11 x 8½", n.p., August 8, 1974. Being a photocopy of Nixon's Statement of Resignation. Nixon has signed in blue ballpoint ink at the upper right on the first page. Signature is clear and bold, document is clean. Fine.
With the release of the so-called "Smoking Gun" tape on August 5, 1974, President Nixon's guilt in the Watergate scandal cover-up was assured. It hastened the loss of his final supporters in Congress, making impeachment imminent, and so he reluctantly decided to step down. On the evening of August 8th, in a nationally televised address from the Oval Office, Nixon announced his intent to resign, saying in part, "To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication would almost totally absorb the time and attention of both the President and the Congress in a period when our entire focus should be on the great issues of peace abroad and prosperity without inflation at home. Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow." Almost immediately thereafter, Congress ended its impeachment proceedings, and within a month, Nixon was granted a full and unconditional pardon by his successor, Gerald Ford. Nixon continued to profess his innocence, despite the weight of the evidence, until his death in 1994. Estimated Value $1,000-UP
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