The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-23
GOV. MAGRATH, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
He Grows Weary OF His Long COnfne-
mcnt and Begs Ptteously to be Re
Ieased-A Case for the Presidents Con-
sideratiOn, sc.


,Ieased-A Case for the Presidents Com
sideratiOn, sc.
OUR CHARLESTON CORRESPONDENCE.
CHARLESTON, s. c., Nov. IS, 1865.
The following letter from United States Judge and
Ex-Governor A. G. Magrath, Of South Carolina, con-
fined as prisoner in Fort Pulaski and is pteous ap-
peal for reease--
FORT PULASKI, Nov. 8, 1900.
Ny DEAR - II costs me an effort TO seat myself and
write you the subject Of my letter is always
matter OF great consequence to and at the time
of great trouble to my friends who able anything
for me And the thought that the sight OF my hand,
writing brings annoyance TO my friends is TO me source
Of nexpressibe pain Still, my condition here is so
fellow prisoners have received to day forced to
write you ask ii is not possible to accomplish my
bsratonY Every other Governor Of reconstructed
State is at large Every other Judge Of the United States
who resigned at large Every other judge OF the Con-
federate States is at large Why should be detainedS
What have doneY Who strove in the State more ear
nesty than did for years to avert separation Who
was held more responsible than for having stayed the
action of the SateY And when did resign what other
course could | pursue than that which / did
pursue, in resigning at once, that successor
might be appointedS Would this be condemnedf II 90,
thwart the of the government renounce opin
ions which ] honestly entertanedf If this be true,
what is my offence but in having such opinions? And
ca that be censurabe when with she conclusion
matter Of choice but of necessity because OF the
convictions ] had i could go further Tor you know
that because of adherence TO the like convictions
i became obnoxious to the government at Rich
mond The opinion had of that government had
excluded me from its confidence and deprived me OF its
favor Certainly in the entertainment Of my opinions
and in the adoption of my conclusions have shown
that was endeavorng to seek the truth, and in the
search maintained consistency.
II Judge - is opposed to me it can only be from
some private pque. To Mr. Seward l am wholly
unknown and what Judge - have against meS
Can point my during the time that held
the commission Of the United States and ask him. or
any and all else, to say in what is there wropgf
Am not entitled TO claim that met the Court Of the
United States in South Carolina, an Gillette institution
little known or respected and that under my auspices
and direction It had risen to great consequence and
enioyed as much respect and confidence as any other
court in the State? Was II not known to all that In the
increase Of its business the road was opened Tor the
lawyer Of South Carolina 10 the Supreme Court, where
before had found their way, and that the
unhappy convuson which shook the country alone pre-
vented that extended intercourse from which so
much good was expected? Or will it be said that
closed the and stopped the action OF the govern
men? Could close the court except so far as was the
judge, by my resignation Could not successor have
been appointedy Could not Judge - have opened
the court Could not all business have been under the
law transferred TO the courts in Georgian
No matter what my private opinions may have been,
you know that opposition to the movement in the State
was utterly idle You know that the only organized
been made was broken up and that its leading members
in different parts OF the State had dissolved its unity
You know tina. in the sumner iSeo MT, B S;.,
action in the event of Mr. Lincon's election although
he had been OF the leaders of the secession
party in 1850. You know that soon after Mr. Orr
published his letter, in which be counselled movement
as soon as -four States ready 10 act You know that
these and other having thus spoken there
to be but one purpose everywhere and ali felt upon
the happening Of the contingency which was then
tempated the choice must be made by all whether they
would go with the State Is not all this true2 Who
knew more of the facts than you And If true, why
should be imprisoned when every other functonary
who has held any of the offices which have filed is at
largeS
My application for amnesty is full and faithful ex-
PLANTATION only Of conduct, but also Of opinion My
of future obedience TO the government given
in the strongest My willingness TO aid in carry
ing the policy Of the government and reassuring the
harmonious union of the States is expressed language
as sincere and strong any one has used
Can not, under such circumstances, have that relief
which my discharge poroe would afford? If the Pre-
sident so disposed let the pardon depend upon my
conduct in the future Is this asking too muchY Can
be obtanedY would not trouble you again il knew
any other whom could write and who would be able
to act in the matter Yours, very truly.
A. G. MAGRATH