Washington telegraph., 1865-07-26
THE AMNESTY PROCLAMATION

The AMNESTY PRoCLAMATION.-Was ashing-
ton July 9.-President Johnson was waited on
yesterday by Messrs. J. A. Jones, X. A. Lam
caster, Al. II. Haxall and j. l.. Apperson, rep
resentatives Of merchants and others of Virginia,
| who wished him to amend the amnesty procla-
nation, by taking out the 100000 clause. They
| represented this feature interfered with the de-
velopment of industry by binding up capital,
and III this way expressing the poor; aud when
| they endeavored to borrow money in the North
ern and Middle States, they were at once met
| by objections that they had over $4,000, and
| if they had, accommodation could not be ex-
| tended; so they were unable to give work to
| the poor who called on them.
The President then reminded them that the
amnesty did not cause this distrust. 1t was the
| commission of treason and the violation OF law.
1t did not add any disability. If they had COM
| miit d treason they were answ-rable to the con-
| hscation Law which Congress had passed, which
| he as President could not alter or amend In
the amnesty proclamation he had offered pardon
| to some persons. but that did not injure other
persons Would they like TO have the amnesty
| removed altogether? Would they feel auy
easier in that casei
One of the deputation answered, No, but it
would assist US very much if you would extend
the benefits to persons worth over SO. .000'
The President replied that in making exceptions
| he had acted on the natural supposition, nirn
had sided the rebellion according to the extent
Of their means. You did no, know thisl One
of the deputa.iJn answered, No, did not
know it -
Mr.. President, IVY, yes you do know,
perfectly well it WAS the wealthy mrn OF the
South who dragged the people into secession.
lived in the South, and K aow how things were
Your State wss Overwhelmingly oppos a to se-
cession, but your rich men used tie power and
bullies and your iitiie army to force the State
INTO secession. Ike the $4,000 clause
suppose man " orth more than than that now
that the war is over, the chances are ten to enc
ne has made it ont of the rebellion by contracts,
&c. w. might As we'll talk plainly about this
| don't think you 50 very anxious about re-
Iieving the poor. You are very eager to help
the poor. Why don't you take the surplus ever
she $50 900 you own, and give it t. theml In
that way You Will help them and bring your
selves within the benefits Of he proclamation
/ am free TO say think some OF you ought TO
be taxed on all over $4,000, to help the poor
When / was Military Governor Of Tennessee
assessed such taxes on those who had been
wealthy Leaders OF the rebellion, AMI it had
good effects.
One of the deputation said i. sn h,rn-ned
that none OF US were leaders; We stayed out AZ
long as we could. and were the last to 20 in.
The President Frequently those who went
in last were among the worst after they got in
But be that as il NAV, understand me gentle
men, don't say this personally. am Just
speaking OF the general working OF matters
know there has been an effort By some people
to prove that the amnesty proclamation was
nluring them by shutting up capital and keep
ing work from the poor. 1t does no such thing
II that is done at all. it is done in violation OF
law, and the commission of treason
The President concluded by saying h. would
look at the papers presented. but ~ far had
seen no reason for removing the exception.
Now that the conspiracy trial is over and the
sentences of the military commission ale *
ecutod, there will soon b. definite action
concerning the trial Of JEFF. Davis. II it should
be determined to try him fer treason, the pro-
cecdings will, OF course, take place before y
civil tribunal; but from present Indications il is
very probable he will be tried BY military com
mission rs the leader or insrg4tor OF the con-
sPiracy, for it il said there newly discovered
proofs agains; him in that connection