New York's Whig Governor,William H. Seward,Prison,Catholic Priest,1842,Wretched

Title: Gov. Seward's letter or the triumph of liberality and justice
Related Names:
Dacre, Henry, b. ca. 1820.
Date Created/Published: 1842.
Summary: A dramatic prison scene, intended to contrast the clemency of New York's Whig governor William H. Seward with the vindictiveness of the Democrat-controlled New York City prison administration. In the interior of the Halls of Justice, popularly known as 'the Tombs,' a grim jailer stands blocking the approach of a Catholic priest toward a small cell, saying 'You can't Enter.' The priest, holding a crucifix and rosary beads, presents a paper marked 'Admit the Bearer. W H Seward' and replies, 'Here is my authority from Govr. Seward for admission. I shall now see the wretched man.' Meanwhile, in his cell, the 'wretched man'--actually, convicted murderer John Caldwell Colt--kneels in prayer, a Bible beside him. He implores, 'Must I die without seeing my Priest? How cruel to prevent me from making My peace with my God!' The print may be based on an actual incident. Interestingly, though, in the closing months of his administration Seward refused to pardon Colt, despite considerable political pressure to do so. Colt cheated the hangman by taking his own life on the day of his scheduled execution.
Notes:
Signed with monogram: HD (Henry Dacre?).
Title appears as it is written on the item.
Weitenkampf, p. 70.
Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)
Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1842-1.
Subjects:
Colt, John Caldwell,--1810-1842.
Seward, William Henry,--1801-1872.
Catholic Church--1840-1850.
Politics & government--1840-1850.
Prisons--1840-1850.
New York (State)--1840-1850.
Lithographs--1840-1850.
Political cartoons--1840-1850.
Bookmark /2008661401/
Description of Photograph
This is an 8x12 inch Reproduction Photograph made from a high quality scan of the original.

Size
Approximately 8x12 inches.
Note:  Some images may have white/black bars on the sides or top if the original image does not conform to the 8x12 dimensions.

Want to purchase the Original?
The original is not for sale.

Return Policy
We are so confident in the quality we provide that we back every order with a money-back guarantee! This means if you are not satisfied, for ANY reason, a refund will be given.(No need to return the photo)

Quality
This Photograph is a Archive Quality Reproduction created directly from the original photograph. Our laboratory uses premium paper guaranteeing brighter colors, sharper whites, and prints that will last a lifetime.

Shipping
We have taken extra steps to ensure that your prints arrive to you safely and undamaged. We use extra thick, stay-flat envelopes to get your photos to you as quickly and as safely as possible.