Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-16
MEMPHIS. TENNESSEE FRIDAY EVENINGS AUGUST l6. 1867

acknowledging its reception the third
affirming confidence in the counsel se-
lected, and that the course proposed by
them is all we want" the fourth assur-
ing Dunham, Ashley docs not credit
the false and stupid reports made
against him that he was about to blow
on them to johnson, and that he does
not believe that il d. had the letters I"
he and others had written, ID. would ever
"send copies to Johnson" " and adding,
if you can put the originals in my
hands, will say that no one shall take
or destroy them without your express
orderin tcriting, except you are releas-
ed, and that he ashley would see
DIS. wife again that evening.
There is also letter from Matchett
telling Dunham it is all right, the
matter will rest till the the thing is ar
gUed in May" that he must not leave
until Mr.. Ashley returns, when other
matters will be adjusted" and having
on a separate and soiled scrap Of paper
these memorandums
/. The court" cannot act without
being a Particeps criminiS.
2, Congress will, at the proper time,
exercise its power
3. Witnesses will be first called before
the committee.
This official report of the acting Attor-
ney General concludes as follows;
This, Mr. President, completes the full
and literal recital of all the papers or
other adhering data before me- The
parcel, comprising all but the pardon
papers, reached this office in an enve-
lope from the executive mansion, in
dorsed Received from Mrs. Durham,
July 30, 1867. The papers having
come from the hands of person whose
application fSr pardon was undergoing
official examination here were, for very
obvious reasons, associated with it in
considering the matter. Struck by this
extraordinary character, yet, remember
ing in how unexpected and casual q
manner they had been received at the
executive office, / Immediately deter
mined that until | should have made
this report, their quality and signif
cance, whatever these may be, should
remain unchanged by investigation, or
by any eXtraneous connection or associa-
ton whatever, not only of record, but.
as far as practicable, in my own mind.
This course it il necessary to bear
in recollection in the act of estimating
the probable weight or value of the
allegations There is, indeed ono ex-
ception to this Never having seen the
handwriting of the Hon. j. NJ Ashley,
| thought it due to him that / should not
proceed without acquiring notion OF
his genuine chirography. / therefore
exhibit that letter which was written by
Mr.. Ashley 10 recommend the pardon OF
Dunham to a gentleman acquainted with
his handwriting The latter, without
hesitation, recognized that latter as gen
une. The others strikingly resemble it.
la conclusion, ! beg leave to express
the profound sensibiity with which |
find myself obliged to bring to the seri-
GUS notice OF the President of the United
States accusations and papers which
must occasion him painful emberrass-
ment. They expose prominent members
of the legislature Of the Union to the
shocking suspicion Of having conspired
with a convicted perjurer for stupen :
dous impostion-first upon the House of
Representatives, then upon the people,
and then upon the Senate of the United
States, for the purpose Of effecting the
impeachment and removal from office
OF the President of the United States,
solely upon suborned testimony. |
need not say with what astonishment
mankind would hear it charged that
scheme so abominable was heightened
still by the peculiar wickednsss of at
tempting to induce the intended victim
himself, through appeals to his clemency,
TO qualify, by pardon, with consequent
competency to act and testify, the
principal instrument of the imposture
Bat, improbable as the existence of such
conspiracy may seem, is not the Pres-
dent exposed to grave accountability
fer whatever consequences may possibly
follow an incredibly too generous in the
premises, to be INDUCED merely because
these adventitious data have been thrust
upon his casual uotice by party who
has been dishouored by criminal ver-
dict, but who is still, in the expressed
opinion of competent professional per.
sons qualified to be vehicle of truth in
a court Of justice.
/ thus lay the whole matter before
your Excelency, for your better judg-
m ent. In the meantime the application
for pardon will be suspended.
What further action will be ha n in the
and what, if any, arrests made,
we shall learn at an early date. Unre-
liable as may be the testimony Of Dun
ham, all the circumstances taken to-
gether make too strong a case to be
passed over; and we think most EN-.
phaiically call for the arrest of certain
parties on the charge of subordnation
of perjury. Conover is not alone in his
7illainy. Those named are convicted
With him beyond doubt. And we hope
10 see every one, though it be thousand,
brought TO condign punishment
, " nnru RDOr OranamIau ON tIrlns