The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-07-10
Associated Press Report.
THE vIEGIsIA DELEGATION.

VASE IEGToE, July 8.
President johnson was visited on. yes
terdsy by Messrs. james A, Jones, Z. A
Lancaster, VIM II. Hsysll and ]. L. AT
ferson, representatives Of the merchants
and others of Virginia, who wished him tc
amend the amnesty proclamation by stri-
king out the 18th exception-ths $40, ,OOO
clause. They represented that this feature
interfered with the development of indus.
try by binding capital, and thus oppressed
| poor, and that when they endesVored to
borrow money in the Northern or Middle
| States, they were at once met by the OBJ.
| lection that perhaps they had over $40, 600,
and If they had, accommodation could not
be extended. So they were unable to give
work to poor men who called upon them.
The President reminded them that the
amnesty proclamation did not cause this
distrust. 1t was the commission of treason
| and the violation of law that did it. The
amnesty proclamation left these men Just
where they were before. It, did not sdd
any disability to them. If they had COM
mitted treason they were smenRble 10 the
confsestion law which Congress- had pissed
and which ne IS President could not, alter
nor amend. In the amnesty proclamation
be had offered pardon TO some persons, but
that did not Iridre any other persons.
Would they like to have the amnesty
proclamation removed RltngathA ? would
they feel any easier in that case2 ,t-.-.-
One of the defendants: No, but II would
assist us much if you would extend the
benefits of procuring two persons worth
over $40 600. era
The President replied that in making
that exception he had acted on the natural
supposition that the men had aided rebel
lion according to the extent of their pecu-
mary means. Did they not know this
One of the defendants No, did not
know it. Il
President-Why yes, you do know per
fectlY well 1t was the WehIEuy inSIi Va SHE
South who dragged the people into seeesI
sion. I lived in the South and i know
how the thing was done. Your State wss
overwhelmingly opposed TO secession, but
YOUR rich men used the press, bullies and
your little army forced the State into Sc;
ceesion. Take $4,000; Suppose man
is worth more than that now the war
is over, and the chances are ten to one that
he made it out Of rebellion by contracts,
sc. We might IS well talk plsinly about
this matter. l don't think you are so very
anxious about the poor. If you areso very
eager to help the poor why don't you take
surplus over 5000 you own, and give it
TO them. In that way you win help them,
and bring yourselves within the benefits Of
the proclamation. am free 70 say TO you
that some of you ought 70 be taxed on all
over $40 900 to help the poor. When l
was military Governor of Tennessee as
sesssd such tax on those who had been
wealthy leaders in the rebellion and it had
8 good effect.
One of the deputation-It 30 happens
that none of US were leaders; we stsid
out IS long IS we could snd were last TO
go in. .
Presidcnt-Frequently, those who went
IN last were among the worst after they
got in. But be thst as it may, understand
me, gentlemen, do not say this person
ally, L am Just speaking of the general
working of the matter. know there has
been an effort among some 70 persuade the
people that the amnesty proclamation Was
ipiuring them by shutting up capital and
keeping work from the poor. 1t doei
nothing. If that is done at all it is done
in consequence of the violation Ot the laRt
and the commission Of treason.
The President concluded by saying tha'
he would look at the papers they presented
but SO far he had seen no resson for IA
moving the exception. IJa67
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