Rare printed broadside, one page, 8.25 x 13, containing two of President Lincoln's final three presidential proclamations, issued three days before his assassination on April 11, 1865. The first is headed, "[Closing Certain Ports, April 11, 1865]," pertaining to the Union blockade of southern ports; and the second is headed, "[Port of Key West to Remain Open, April 11, 1865]." In fine condition, with light toning, and small chips, to the edges.
By the proclamation at the top of the broadside (Lincoln's 126th presidential proclamation), Abraham Lincoln orders specifically named ports in several southern states (including Key West, Florida) to be closed. By the proclamation at the bottom of the broadside (Lincoln’s 127th presidential proclamation), he corrects an inadvertent error in the earlier proclamation by clarifying that the port of Key West, Florida, is not closed but is open to commerce.
Lincoln’s 128th presidential proclamation, concerning equal rights among all maritime nations, was his last. It too was issued on the same day, April 11th, that Lincoln issued these two proclamations. Also on this day Lincoln gave his last public speech, which advocated extending the vote to African-American citizens and veterans. Both John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirator, Lewis Powell, were in the crowd that heard the speech. Booth reportedly quipped to Powell: 'That is the last speech he will ever make.'
