Manuscript DS as president, one page both sides, 10.75 x 15.75, April 4, 1856. An official pardon issued by President Pierce for John Batz, who “was sentenced to be imprisoned in the penitentiary for a period of six years, under conviction of counterfeiting coin: and whereas it has been made satisfactorily to appear to me that the prisoner is a fit subject for the exercise of the Executive Clemency.” Signed prominently at the conclusion by Franklin Pierce, and countersigned by Secretary of State William L. Marcy. The signed reverse bears the original embossed seal to the upper left hand corner. In very good to fine condition, with a tear to the left edge, passing through one word of text, repaired with archival tape on the reverse. Full presidential pardons signed by Pierce are quite uncommon, as he issued only 142 during his term.