The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-02
from WASHINGTON.
A APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
FREEDMEN'S BUREAU. rlT
THE CAPTURE OF JEFF DAVIS.
WASHINGTON. Nav

.Jg 8AA4 WASHINGTON, May 1.
The President to-day pardoned forty Tex
ans, three Georgians, ten LouSianians, and
five Alabamains. .4s
The aggregate appropriations in the bill for
the Freedmen's Bureau amount to $11 1884,
600.
The President sent message to the House
to-day enclosing letter from Secretary Sew
ard, giving the result of his examination of the
various propositions from British holders of
rebel debt or common loan, for adjustment to
the satisfaction of the United States.
The Secretary says none Of them are enti-
tied to consideration.
1t appears from the records in the War De-
partment, that with the exception of the
Presidents proclamation none but verbal Or
ders have been given for the capture of JEFF.
Davis. Major Gen. Wilson says that Lieut..
Coils. Harnden and Pritchard are entitled to
great credit for the zeal and activity with
which they conducted the pursuit, and that it
is but simple justice to those worthy officers
to remark that they were ignorant of the re-
ward at the time of capture. Col. Pritchard
says it was so dark that he could not distin-
guish uniforms. In the course of his narra-
tive he says: On return to camp was ac-
costed by Davis, from among the prisoners,
who asked if 1 was the officer in command;
and upon my answering him that was and
that l might call him what or whoever l
pleased, when replied to him that would
call him Davis, and after moments hesita-
ton he said that was his name. Then he
suddenly drew himself up with true royal dig
nifty and exclaimed, l suppose you consider
it bravery to charge train of defenceless wo-
men and children, but it is theft and vandal-
ism.'s Nothing is said in the narrative about
his being disguised. s sst..
1t is understood that in Cabinet meeting
to-day the President invited an expression of
opinion from the heads of Departments re-
specting the proposition reported on Monday
last by the Congressional Committee on Re-
construction. An interesting and animated
discussion is said to have ensued in which, if
rumOrs sDe true, Secretary Seward declared him.
| self, in very decided and emphatic terms
| ygainst the plan of the Committee, and in ia
| vor OF the immediate admission of loyal rep
resentatives from the lately rebellious States.
| Secretary McCuloch was as positive as the
Secretary OF State in opposition to tie plan
| recommended by the Committee, and express
ed himself as strongly in favor of the consum-
nation Of the Presidents restoration policy,
by the admission into Congress of,loyal men
| from the Southern States
| Secretary Stanton was equally decided in
1his opposition to the Committees PROPOSE
tions. He was adhering to the policy which
had been agreed upon and constantly pursued
by the administration, and he was gratified
that the President had brought the subject tc
the consideration of the Cabinet.
Secretary Welles was unequivocaly against
the Committees scheme and earnest in his
support of the Presidents policy, comprehend
ing the instant admission into Congress of 10y
al representatives from States letely in rebel
lion. 3ta -
Secretary Harlan was rather reticent, ani
'expressed no opinion.
Postmaster General Dennison was in favo
OF carrying out the restoration policy of th,
President, but expressed some doubts as to til,
precise time at which loyal representative
from Southern States should be admitted t,
seats in Congress.
Attorney Gen. Speed was not present at tn
meeting, being on visit to his home in Ken
lucky.
The President was earnest in his opposition
to the report of the committee, and declaret
himself against all conditions precedent to tn
admission of loyal Representatives from tn
Southern States, in the shape Of amendment