Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-10-14
The A1exandria Gazet1e
SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER Il:
THE SOUTH CAROLINA DELIBERATIONS 49, za
THE PREsIDENT-PARD0No OF Ms pa -
AND OTHERS ASKED FOR.

Yesterday evening, Jooge y . !,
erick Huger and Col. Dowkins OF oou'n
Carolina. had an interview by appointment
with President johnson. They we're ac0oAn
named by W. r. Trescott, ESQ.,, VINO IS IL IL
Washington on business as eAeoo'1'o
The President, after the customary prellml-
nar;es Of reception, invited them to be seated,
When At once the conversation commenced by
:Tndge Wardlaw informing him that they were
. deIe cation from the State Convention OF
South carolina, sent hither to present certain
memorials of that body. These memorials had
hpen very carefully considered IN the conVen-
ton, and he believed they told exactly the
truth :,
The President enquired the object Of the
memorials.
judge Wardlow informed him that one of
them was in behalf Of Jeff. Davis, A: Il; ote-
Dhens, Geo. A. Trenholm and Gov: McGrath
He said they had understood that by the klno
interference of the President, Messrs. Stephens
and Trenholm had already been released from
close confinement and permitted to return to
Their homes. He would ask for Governor Nc
Grath either pardon or that he might be re-
leased on his parole They could assure the
President that no harm would result from
such an act OF clemency.
The President replied that all could not be
pardoned at once. The business must be pro-
coed ed with gradually, and an effort made to
execute the law. A discrimination was nece5-
sary as we go along. It was too common
expression by many Of argument tor clemency
that such a one had been pardoned, and that
he was lust as bad as another who had not
Judge Wardlaw replied that the delegation
presented no such argument as that. Inc
President said sometimes the peculiar locality
had much to do with pardons Like many
other things in human affairs, we cannot have
fxedrule Much depends on discretion and
circumstances. II we know ourselves, we
want to do what is best and just, and to show
proper degree OF humanity on the part OF ene
Government.
Judge Wardlaw remarked that they not
come hither to express their own hopes and
desires, but as delegates from the South Caro-
lima Convention, to present the memorials OF
that body in formal manner.
The President 1--WE will, gentleman eZ-
tend the facilities and civilities which the
questions require-he would prefer to pardon
twenty men than refuse one.
Judge Wardlaw replied that they did not
design to say anything with reference to Gov
ernor Magrath, further than that they believed
much good would result by the exercise OF the
Executive clemency toward him.
Col. Dawkins said: IF we can get Governor
Magrath pardoned, it would be a great lellet
to him at the present time
Judge Wardaw thanked the President tor
having released Messrs Stephens and Iren-
holm.
The President said we have that far then,
anticipated your memorial. MI. Huger SAID
MIR. Trenholm was one Of the most useful men,
and there was no doubt he would exert al his
power with view to entire harmony between
the State aud the Government The PresI-
dent replied that he understood that was SO,
adding Il treason has been committed, there
ought to be some test to determine the power
of the Government to punish the crime.
He was free to say that it was not mere
contest between political parties Or a question
as to de facto governments.
Looking at the Government as we do, and
the laws violated IN an attempt at the over
throw of the nation, there should be o V.ndica-
tion of the Government and Constitution even
If the pardoning power were exercised there
after. IF treason has been committed it ought
to be determined by the highest tribunal and
the fact declared, even if ciemency should come
afterwards. There was no malice or pre- JUDGE
in wishing to carry out that duty. Judge
Wardlaw remarked that they were we'll aware
of that.
The President, resuming, said There may
be some unkind feeling on this subject, butt
did not exist to any great degree. Judge
Waralaw said Although not instructed by
the convention he was induced to ask whether
Mrs. Jefferson Davis, who was now confined
to Georgia, could not cross into South Caro-
lima to see her friends. The president replied
that he had received letters from Mrs.