Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-07-26
Letter from Gov. Foote.

The blowing letter from HENRY STEWART
FooTE, late rebel Congressman, now in Canada viii
be perused by our East Tenneasee friends who lis
tened to his speeches in 1851 with more than ordi-
nary interest Mr. Foote is sensible man, and like
the Prodigal Son, has come to his proper mind he
Is more to blame for going into the rebellion under
the leadership of Davis than many others wero.-
foote never had any confidence in the talents, in
tegrity, or patriotism of Davis and we have heard
nm 50 declare, both publicly and privately.
MONTREAL, July sth, 1865.
10 HtS ETestLeHey Governor BrolrnIosv:
SIR trust that you will see some analogy for
the present letter in the circumstances which sur
round me- Some very good friends of mine a.
ways heretofore devoted 20 the Union cause have
thought that could with propriety make appliea-
ton to President johnson for release from tho mains
and disabilities incurred by me in connection with
! the late armed rebellion in the South, and have
done soaccordingly, in frank and respectable letter
( in which, without unmanly servihty or sycophan-
tic adulaton. l have called his attention to the
leading particulars of my own case, and requested
him to act upon the facts presented in such man
ner as he might deem right and proper, in view of
the high public responsibilities resting upon him.
l have made no effort to invoke special sympathy
in my favor regarding the whole question as TO the
manner in which, as well as the srts1t to which
ecutive clemency should be exercised as depending
| upon principles of public policy alone
discover, and am glad to learn, that in the State
of Tennessee yoH will be looked 10 for Gdgce in
gard to all applications arising there This IS in my
judgment obviously right in itself, and 1 have
heretofore greatly Misunderstood your character if
in the performance of duty equally grave and del
| ieate, you not found acting both with wisdom
and magnanmity.
Whether or not it would be prudent to release me
from the penalties which l confess myself TO have
4 innllrrad danandz I vvha
has been mycourse heretofore venture hope that
this subject you already very fully informed.
l aid of any special enquiry which you may deem
| it requisite to make have ventured TO send you
the letter which I addressed to President johnson
month or two since, which, though written, con-
fess, when was not in a very good humor with Mr..
Hunter, embodies q statement Of facts which you
will find to be in all respects strictly accurate.
It would be wrong in me not to say this Occa-
sion, that have long since been satisfied that in
Yielding my sanction to the war 80 needleSsly and
inadly commenced in 1861 by the secession leaders
| of the Cotton States war in the OriginatioH of
| which l had as little hand as any man in North
| America I committed most grievous and CEN
surable blunder; bunder which Immediately
perceived on reaching Richmond in 1862, but which
It was then too late to correct. All must now sec
the true policy Of the South, after Mr.. Lincoln's
election had occurred mainly in consequence of
the absurd and factious course Of those who con-
trolled the action of the Charleston Convention IN
1867 was to strive by purely constitutional met hods
in connection with our Northern conservative allies,
to ward off the dangers then supposed to be men
| anced. The unwise course pursued in Withdrawing
| from Congress, seeding from the Federal Union
establishing a new government at Montgomery,
| and commencing war against the Federal Govern
| ment condemned strongly at the time, but inju-
dciously and weakly yielded to the general feeling
of sympathy towards Southern fellow-citlzens,
who at the time were evidently about to be over
whelmed by superior numbers and gave my assent to
the cooperative policy ultimately adopted by the
l State of Tennessee. So soon as l discovered
the mistake which l had made, labored to prevent
/ as far in my power the fearful consequences
which have since been so fearfuly reahzed DO not
pretend to iStify my conduct; but II after mature
" considering all the circumstancesof the case you
1 should Judge it safe te interpose with President
| johnson in my behalf you will place me under spe-
/ cal obligations. You are aware hope that none
Of the oppressive and cruel conduct put in exercise
toward yourself and your Union friends in Ten
nessee, ever had my approval and you will learn
from Mr.. Baxter and others of East Tennessee that
exerted myself zeslously and untirlngly TO relieve
all those in that unfortunate region who wereubec
to such sore persecution on accountot the consclen
\ tious entertainment of Union sentiments by them
feel It to be but right that should further add
that regarding African Slavery as having now be-
come ertinct (mainly too, through the instruman'
| tality of its leading champions in the South who
despite all the warnings they received Of the
mischiefs likely to arise kept up from 1850 to 1850
a constant agitation OF sectional questions0 werC
relieved from the disabilities under which l nov
labor 1 should feel bound to uphold, with -eal0A
fidelity the stqt,ls existing in Tennessee in re
gard to this matter.
l well know that if you think 1t prudent that
should be allowed to return to Tennessee, you viii
have the manliness TO facilitate my doing So anC
that if on the other hand you to the conclusion
that my return would in any degree endanger tn
public quiet, you will interpOse to prevent it.
either case, 1 utter no unmanly complaint, bu
submit to what may be judged most conducive t
the general welfare with composure and cheerful
| ness have the honor to be your obedlent servant
/ II. S. FoOTE