Partly-printed DS, one page, 8 x 10, April 13, 1865. Seward transmits “a true copy of an Act of Congress entitled ‘An Act for the relief of Solomon Wadsworth,’ approved February 13, 1865.” Signed at the conclusion by Seward. Bound to the document with its original blue ribbon is a copy of the congressional Act, H.R. 431. A pinhole to top edge, scattered light toning and soiling, and a few small edge chips, otherwise fine condition. The green seal is worn and cracked, but intact.
The date on this document—April 13, 1865—is chilling in that it fell just a day prior to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, as well as an attempt on Seward’s own life. The secretary of state, in an example of political efficiency, must have signed the document ahead of time, with the date added later, as on April 13 the statesman was near death, slowly recovering from a serious carriage accident several days earlier. On April 14, as John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln, a co-conspirator attacked Seward in his bedroom, stabbing him several times in the face and neck. Remarkably, he recovered from both the accident and the assassination attempt, and famously negotiated the purchase of Alaska two years later. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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