THE PARDON OF RICHARD NIXON

SUMMARY:NIXON PARDON SIGNED BY BOTH FORD AND NIXON. 5 KNOWN. PRICE:$4900.00

	Would you like to purchase this product? Simply click BUY NOW to securely shop online with eHistoryBuff.

Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994). Congressman, Senator, Vice President under Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961), Thirty-seventh President of the United States (1969-1974), and Author; and Gerald Ford ( 1913-2006). Congressman, Vice-President under Richard Nixon , and President of the United States (1974-1977).

Extraordinarily Rare Document Signed, being a typed transcript copy of Presidential Proclamation 4311 of September 8, 1974, by President Gerald R. Ford granting a pardon to Richard M. Nixon, 09/08/1974, two separate pages, large octavo, no place or date, but signed in the late 1980s. Boldly signed by each as viewed.

 

The original Presidential Proclamation 4311 of September 8, 1974, as issued and read by President Ford was a two-page typed transcript, singularly signed by Ford. It is housed in Record Group 11: General Records of the United States Government, 1778 – 1992, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Washington, DC. (ARC #194597)

 

Although his pardon of Richard Nixon was very controversial and probably was one of the prime factors leading to his loss in the 1976 presidential election, Gerald Ford never second-guessed his decision to grant it. Acting as his conscience dictated, he did not worry about political consequences. Although the initial reaction to the pardon was overwhelmingly negative, in recent years many original opponents of the pardon have reconsidered Ford's decision. On May 21, 2001, President Ford received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award at the Kennedy Library. Speaking on this occasion, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg said of President Ford, “As President, he made a controversial decision of conscience to pardon former President Nixon and end the trauma of Watergate. In doing so, he placed his love of country ahead of his own political future.”

 

This incredible historic document is the property of a gentleman who obtained the signatures from Presidents Nixon and Ford himself in the late 1980s. It is the History Buff's understanding that there is no other signed copy of Presidential Proclamation 4311 by both Presidents that is presently offered or available or has ever come up for auction. The document has been well-preserved, no folds, very minor edge wear at the bottom of page two, overall, in very fine condition. Price:$4900.00

 

Full Transcript of the Text from NARA:

 

GRANTING PARDON TO RICHARD NIXON

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Richard Nixon became the thirty-seventh President of the United States on January 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of forty-nine of the fifty states. His term in office continued until his resignation on August 4, 1974.

 

Pursuant to resolutions of the House of Representatives, its Committee on the Judiciary conducted an inquiry and investigation on the impeachment of the President extending over more than eight months. The hearings of the Committee and its deliberations, which received wide national publicity over television, radio, and in printed media, resulted in votes adverse to Richard Nixon on recommended Articles of Impeachment.

 

As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States. Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted depends on findings of the appropriate grand jury and on the discretion of the authorized prosecutor. Should an indictment ensue, the accused shall then be entitled to a fair trial by an impartial jury, as guaranteed to every individual by the Constitution.

 

It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it becomes necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States. The prospects of such a trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-ninth.

 

[signed]
Gerald R. Ford

The pardon will be come with a letter of provenance as to its origin, history and authenticity.

Price: $4900.00