Title:
President Rutherford B. Hayes Signed Presidential Pardon Warrant for Convicted "Blockade Whisky" Smuggler J. M. Osborn – December 29, 1879 – PSA Letter of Authenticity #AR05361

Description:
A rare and historically significant presidential pardon warrant authorization personally signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, dated Washington, December 29, 1879. This official executive document directed the Secretary of State to affix the Great Seal of the United States to a presidential warrant granting clemency to J. M. Osborn, thereby completing one of the President's most important constitutional functions.

The document reads in part:

"I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to a warrant for the pardon of J. M. Osborn, dated this day, and signed by me; and for so doing this shall be his warrant."

President Hayes has personally signed the document "R. B. Hayes" in pencil at its conclusion. As noted by PSA Authentication, all remaining manuscript text is in the hand of a government clerk, making Hayes' authentic presidential signature the document's central feature. The manuscript remains in very good condition with expected folds and light age wear consistent with official nineteenth-century government documents.

Historical Context:
Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) served as the 19th President of the United States from 1877 to 1881. The Constitution grants the President the exclusive authority to issue pardons for federal offenses, and official pardon warrants such as this formed an essential part of that executive process. Before a pardon became legally effective, the President authorized the Secretary of State to affix the Great Seal of the United States, making documents of this nature tangible evidence of presidential clemency in action.

The historical significance of this document was substantially enhanced through original research conducted by our team at Historical Autographs Gallery. While examining the Atlanta Weekly Constitution of December 23, 1879, we identified the recipient and uncovered the circumstances surrounding this pardon.

According to the newspaper's account, J. M. Osborne (also spelled Osborn) had been convicted in the United States District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, for violating federal internal revenue laws by removing illicit "blockade whisky." He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment at the Albany Penitentiary in New York. The article further reports that Congressman Emory Speer successfully petitioned President Hayes for executive clemency, resulting in a full presidential pardon that remitted the remaining eight months of Osborne's sentence and secured his immediate release.

Because of this research, the document can now be directly linked to a specific federal criminal case, a successful congressional appeal for mercy, and a contemporary newspaper account documenting the pardon. Rather than representing an anonymous executive authorization, it tells the complete story of a convicted "blockade whisky" offender whose sentence was cut short through presidential intervention.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
The document is accompanied by a PSA Letter of Authenticity, confirming the authenticity of Rutherford B. Hayes' signature.

• PSA Certification Number: AR05361
• PSA notes: "Please note, all other handwriting is in an unknown hand."
• Personally signed "R. B. Hayes."
• Includes the original PSA Letter of Authenticity with matching certification number and reference image.
• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer's request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional "Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate" signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
Signed presidential pardon warrants are among the most desirable executive documents available to collectors because they embody one of the President's most consequential constitutional powers. This example is especially compelling, as original research by Historical Autographs Gallery has identified both the recipient and the crime, revealing the fascinating story of a convicted "blockade whisky" violator whose release was secured through the efforts of Congressman Emory Speer and the clemency of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Accompanied by a full PSA Letter of Authenticity, this exceptional manuscript is a museum-worthy artifact of presidential history, federal law enforcement, and nineteenth-century American justice.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.