Seth Kaller, Inc.

On April 15, 1981, two weeks after he was wounded in an assassination attempt, President Reagan pardoned FBI agents W. Mark Felt (1913-2008) and Edward S. Miller. They had been convicted of authorizing unconstitutional searches of the homes of U.S. citizens in 1972 and 1973 in the Nixon administration’s search for members of the Weather Underground and other opponents of the Vietnam War. Former President Richard Nixon and five former Attorneys General testified on behalf of Felt and Miller.

In his pardon message, Reagan declared, “During their long careers, Mark Felt and Edward Miller served the Federal Bureau of Investigation and our nation with great distinction. To punish them further - after 3 years of criminal prosecution proceedings - would not serve the ends of justice.” He continued, “America was at war in 1972, and Messrs. Felt and Miller followed procedures they believed essential to keep the Director of the FBI, the Attorney General, and the President of the United States advised of the activities of hostile foreign powers and their collaborators in this country.”

In 2005, Felt revealed that he had been the confidential informant “Deep Throat,” who had provided information to The Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the Watergate scandal.

RONALD REAGAN. Autograph Draft Letter Initialed, to Edward S. Miller, [April 28, 1981], Washington, DC. On yellow-lined notepad paper. 1 p, 8½ x 11 in.

Inventory #27888       Price: $2,500

Complete Transcript
Mr. Edward Miller

Dear Mr. Miller
            Thank you very much for your letter. I had made myself a campaign promise that I would reward you for what you had done for your country if I had the opportunity & if it became necessary. I'm sorry it took so long but I couldn't push bureaucracy into a higher speed.

            You owe me no thanks but I appreciate your letter and your generous words more than I can say.

            I hope we can meet soon.

                                                            Best Regards
                                                            RR

Helene
            You might show Mike[1] the attached letter re the last sentence about wishing he could shake hands.

                                                            RR

Edward S. Miller (1923-2013) was born in Pennsylvania and served with the United States Army from November 1942 to February 1946 in the Pacific Theater, including participation in the Battle of Okinawa. He graduated from Grove City College in 1949, joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in February 1950, and remained with the FBI until retiring in October 1974. In 1950, he married Patricia Clark, and they had three children. In November 1980, Miller was convicted of having “conspired to injure and oppress the citizens of the United States.” In April 1981, President Ronald Reagan pardoned him.

Condition: Fine