Abraham Lincoln

SUMMARY: This offering is an endorsement signed by Lincoln concerning the Loyalty Oath of Dec. 8, 1863. PRICE:$6900.00

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Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the sixteenth President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1861 until his death on April 15, 1865. As an outspoken opponent of the expansion of slavery, he won the Republican Party nomination in 1860 and was elected president later that year. During his term, he helped preserve the United States by leading the defeat of the secessionist Confederate States of America in the American Civil War. He introduced measures that resulted in the abolition of slavery, issuing his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoting the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1865.

Despite the fact that the war would not be over for another 18 months, Lincoln wanted to provide for a lenient policy of reconstruction. On December 8, 1863 he issued this proclamation which provided a means of repatriating "those who resume their allegiance" even though the war was still in progress. To those who took an oath of loyalty, he was prepared to issue a full pardon, with some notable exceptions. Those exceptions he specifically listed in the proclamation so there would be no misunderstanding. He also provided guidelines for the systematic reestablishment of loyal state governments.

Lincoln, Abraham. AES ("A Lincoln"), cut from a larger sheet, 1¾" x 2¾", n.p., 1864 Feb. 1. The President writes, "Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8 and be discharged." Very fine. Some interesting fragments appear on the verso: "of irreproacha[ble]…the rebel…he never will…[u]nion man…[unc]onditional…A.H. Buckner…[McCle]llan of the…."

The Federal government was overwhelmed by requests for amnesty, to the extent that on March 26, 1864, President Lincoln had to issue a second proclamation to clarify "which insurgent enemies are entitled to the benefits of the proclamation" of December 8, 1863. Here is a link to the full proclamation:http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/procamn.htm

This oath come with a full 8 in. x 10 in. B&W image of Abraham Lincoln shown above. All items sold by the History Buff, Inc. come with documentation and a certified opinion as to authenticity.

Price: $6900.00