Description
The Presidential Pardon Proclamation of Richard Nixon, signed by President Gerald R. Ford. The proclamation was issued on September 8, 1974, after the resignation of President Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate Scandal.
Octavo, [1-page]. Housed in custom blue cloth folio, title in gilt on front cover over red morocco label. Single loose-leaf souvenir typescript. Signed in black pen by Gerald R. Ford along the bottom edge.
Provenance: RR Auctions, Lot 58, Catalog 656.
On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford granted a full and unconditional pardon to former President Richard Nixon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while he was in office. The pardon covered the period from January 20, 1969, to August 9, 1974, the date Nixon resigned amidst the Watergate scandal. Ford stated that he believed the pardon was in the best interest of the country, to help it move forward and avoid the divisiveness that a prolonged trial would cause. This decision was controversial and led to significant political fallout, including a decline in Ford’s approval ratings.
