FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT and EDWARD G. GRIFFIN
Extradition document signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt as Governor of New York, counter-signed by his Counsel Edward G. Griffin, who was also governor's counsel to Roosevelt's ally-tuned-enemy Alfred E. Smith.
Partly printed document signed "Franklin D. Roosevelt" as Governor and "E G Griffin" as Counsel to the Governor. 1 page, 10¾x8¼, with 2½-inch diameter gold Seal of the State of New York in lower left corner. Albany, New York, April 2, 1929. Roosevelt certifies that he has honored the request of the Governor of Massachusetts for the extradition to that state of Adolphe Fissette and has issued a warrant for the delivery of the fugitive to Arthur J. Mahoney, an agent of that state. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945, born in Hyde Park, New York) was elected Governor of New York in 1928, succeeding his political patron (and later foe) Alfred E. Smith, whom Roosevelt had nominated as the Democratic Presidential candidate in 1928. Smith lost to Herbert Hoover, whom Roosevelt would himself defeat for the Presidency four years later. Roosevelt, former state legislator, Assistant Navy Secretary and Vice Presidential candidate (1920), served two 2-year terms as New York's Governor before winning the first of an unprecedented four elections to the US Presidency, an office he would hold longer than anyone else (1933-1945). Griffin was New York Counsel for the Governor for Franklin Delano Roosevelt as well as his ally-turned-nemesis Alfred E. Smith. The Governor of Massachusetts, referenced but not named in this document, was Republican Frank G. Allen (1929-1931). Lightly toned and creased. Signatures touch, but are legible. Tackhead-sized hole near upper left corner. Light tear in upper edge. Gold color has rubbed off seal in places. Folded twice horizontally and vertically. Otherwise in fine condition.