Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-07-10
The Virginia Delegation and twenty
Thousand Dollar Clause

WASHINGTON, July 9.-President johnson WAS
waited on yesterday by Messrs. J H Jones. r
a Lancaster, NJ II haIsll and I Apperson.
Representatives Of merchants and others of Vir
cinis who wished him TO amend the Amnesty
Proclamation by taking out the $50 600 clause
They represented that this feature in,erfered
with the development of industry by biuding up
capital, and in this way Expresses the Door. and
when they endeavored to borrow money in the
Northern or Middle States they were az once met
by the objection that they had over so. 600. and
il they had. accommodation could not be ex-
tended. 30 they were unable to give work to the
poor who called on them.
The President reminded them that the amnesty
did not cause this distrust. ltwss the commits
sion OF treason, and the violation OF law Gid IL
The Amnesty Procla nation left these men lust
where they were before. IL did not add any dis
ability If they had committed treason they
were answeraole to the con6scation law which
Congress had passed. which he as President
could not alter or amend. Ia the Amnesty
Proclamation he had offered pardon to some per
sons, but that did not iDjure other persons
Would they like to have the amnesty removed
altogether Would they feel any easier in that
casei
One of the deputation answered: mo; but il
would assist Us very much if you could extend
the benefits to persons worth over twent, thou
sand dollars
The President replied, that, in making excep-
ton, he had acted on the natural supposition
that men had aided the rebellion according to
the extent OF their means. Did they not know
thisi
One OF the deputation replied: mo. did
not know it,"
The President" Why yes you do know il per
fectly we'll. Ii was the wealthy men of the
ho dra gCcft ho In,
lived in the South. aud know how the thing was
done. Your State was overwhelmingly opposed
to secession, but your rich men used the press
aud DULLES and your little army TO force the
State into secession Take the 500 900 clause
Suppose man 10 be worth more than that, now
that the war is over, the chances are ten To one
he made II out Of the rebellion by roatracts, &c
We might a. we'll talk plainly about this matter
don't tnink you arc so very anxious about re-
leying the poor. II you arc so very anxious TO
help the poor. why don't you take the surplus
over the S2O,U0O you own aHd give it to them
la this way YOU will help them and bring your
selves within the benefits OF the Proclamation
am free to say think some OF you ought to
be taxed on all over $40 900 TO help the poor
When was Military Governor Of Tennessee /
assessed such taxes on those who had been
wealthy Leaders OF the rebellion, aud il had
good effect
One Of the Deputation-"lt 80 happens that
none Of Us were leaders; we stad out as long as
we could, aud we're the last to 20 in"
The ENTHUSIASTICALLY those who went
in last were among the wors, that went in; but,
be that a. IL may, understand me, gentlemen,
don't saw this personally; | am just speaking OF
the general working OF matters. | know there
has been nm effort made by some to persuade the
people that the Amnesty Proclamation Was in
juring them by shutting up capital aud keeping
work from the poor. II does no such thing (;
il that is done at all il is done in con
sequence oi the revolution OF law, and the
commission of treason The President concluded
by saying he would look at the papers presented,
but so far had seen no reason for removing the
exception. nov that the Conspiracy trial is over
aud the sentences Of the Military Commission
are executed
There will soon be some definite action con.
corning be trial Of jeff Davis. II il should be
determined To try him for treason the proceedings
will OF course take place before civil tribunal
but from present indications il il more probable
he will be tried by Military Commission, no the
instigator of the conspiracy, for il Is said Ia Gov
ernmont quarters. there are newly discovered
proofs against him in that connection.