Abraham Lincoln, Legal Document in Lincoln’s hand, Unsigned

Description

Abraham Lincoln created this affidavit; it was prepared for and signed by George High “defendant in two certain indictments, found against him, by the Grand Jury of Vermillion County, for the supposed stealing of two mares.”  High swears that he “can not safely go to trial at the present term because of the absence of one Jack, alias, John Noland…a material witness,” who could swear that he, High, was not anywhere near Vermillion County at the time of the alleged theft. 

High was, though, found guilty of horse theft and sentenced to three years in prison.  Later, in 1857, Lincoln wrote a petition for High’s pardon, signed by 27 others, and personally carried it to Gov. Bissell, who granted the appeal and made High a free man. 

This Lengthy document is entirely in Lincoln’s hand, written during a key time in his life, as he reentered politics following the passage of the Kansas/Nebraska Act the year before. 

Excellent; clear and bold writing throughout – and a great deal of it!

Lincoln, Abraham. Unsigned Autograph Document.  Champaign Co., Ill.:  21 May 1855. Folio; 1-1/2p.; docketed “The People vs George High.”