Affidavit/Address by Guiteau: "To the American People..."., 06/16/1881-06/16/1881

File — Box: 1, Folder: 7

Identifier: 42710

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Charles J. Guiteau collection consists of correspondence, affidavits and printed material by and about Guiteau, the notorious attorney who assassinated U.S. President James Abram Garfield on July 2, 1881. The assassination resulted in one of the most celebrated American 'insanity trials' of the nineteenth century, which became something of a legal milestone in the judgement of the criminally insane.

This collection has been digitized and is available to view online in DigitalGeorgetown.

Dates

06/16/1881-06/16/1881

Conditions Governing Access

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.20 Cubic Feet (1 Slim Document Case)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Container Summary

Contains 3 sheets/3 page autograph manuscript signed by Guiteau, used as a courtroom exhibit by Edmond Bailey - @ "Washington June 16, 1881. To the American People: I conceived the idea of removing the President four weeks ago. Not a soul knew of my purpose. I conceived the idea myself and kept it to myself. I read the newspapers carefully for and against the Administration, and gradually the conviction settled on me that the President's removal was a political necessity, because he proved a traitor to the men that made him, and thereby imperilled the life of the Republic...This is not murder. It is a political necessity..."