Abraham Lincoln, the original of which is preserved in the state capitol at Albany. It is a letter Lincoln wrote granting a pardon to a deserter.
Executive Mansion,
Washington, October 4, 1864.
Upon condition that Roswell McIntyre of Company E, Sixth Regiment of New York Cavalry, returns to his regiment and faithfully serves out his term, making up for lost time, or until otherwise lawfully discharged, he is fully pardoned for any supposed desertion heretofore committed; and this paper is his pass to go to his regiment.
Abraham Lincoln.
On the side of it is indorsed: "Quartermaster's
Office, New York City, October 22, 1864.
Transportation furnished to Baltimore, Maryland.
H. Brownson"; and at the bottom in a
different hand is this indorsement: "Taken from
the body of R. McIntyre at the Battle of Five
Forks, Virginia, 1865." So he went back and
died like a man, with his pardon on his person.
And to-day, to the coward and the deserter and
the traitor, the man who has compromised and
the man who has run away, the same Lord God
Who set Elijah on his feet is speaking, and He
is able to send him back to be faithful, even unto
death. Thanks be to a God Who does not compromise
and Who is still alive.
