Presidential Pardon of John Dalton for Piracy, March 6, 1813

Presidential pardon signed by James Madison, President of the United States, and countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe, March 6, 1813. The pardon respites the execution of John Dalton, convicted of piracy in the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Massachusetts. The pardon relates to the case of the schooner George Washington, owned by Uriah Phillips Levy, which was seized by its chief mate, Samuel Tully, and his accomplice, John Dalton. The document details the events leading to the piracy, the trial, and the subsequent reprieve of Dalton. Tully was executed. This is considered the first known instance of an American Jew being involved in a presidential pardon. The original document includes the seal of the United States, which remains intact.

Associated People/Businesses

• Levy, Uriah Phillips

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Piracy
• Maritime law

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Oversize Box 4, Folder 2