The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-10-25

to withdraw that proclamation, but be re-
fused, and spoke of Andersonville, though
l cannot see what Jacksonville has to do
with the assassination of President Lin
coin.
PREsT.-Judge Holt refused to sign it,
did he b
Mr.. B.-Yes. I also saw Judge I'm
derwood, and he thought l had done
enough for Davis. and that il was time to
give him up since he refused to see me-
l suppose | do not violate any rule of
courtesy in mentioning what he said, for
l asked him if ! might speak with him in
regard to Mr.. Davis, and he said @yes,"
and imposed no secrecy. He said be was
sure he would be brought to trial in No
velnber, and that under existing iDstruc-
tions, in reference to jurors, that jury
would be empanelled that would convict
him-that be did Dot wish to see any
blood shed, because he was opposed to
capital punishment anyhow, and that Con-
gress, in the midst of the war, had re.
duced the penalty of treason to fine and
Imprisonment in the discretion of the
Court; that be would, therefore, only fine
him enough to take away his Mississippi
plantations, and let them be sold out at
say half dollar per acre, to his old slaves,
whose toll and tears bad accumulated
them-that l had better Suggest this to
the country, and, after a while, 90 down
and preach to the negroes colonized on
Davis old plantations.
PRIEST (smiling)-I used to be the
o!d-tashioned way to try man before
they hanged him.
Mr.. b Il do not see that the cause of
justice can be much advanced by such q
trial. PROFESSIONALLY Mr.. Davis, in COM
mon with the Southern people, made a
very great rebellion, aud sent millions to
the grave but the Confederacy is. now
dead.
PREsT.-But the people claim that
they did not commit treasou--that they
adhered to their allegiance to the States,
and that the States committed treason.
Mr.. B.-Well, one thing is certain,
there was big war, and while 7 would
not have you think that would favor the
Southern view of the question, must say
that if our Constitution had not been at
fault there probably would not have been
a war. The fact that it has been changed
proves that it was wrong.
PREsT.-But we claim that it has not
been changed, except 10 one article,
Mr.. B.-That's Just where the fault
'was-the rotten plank that guaranteed
slavery.
PREsT.-Where is your home, Mr.. Bag
ley
Mr.. B.-My Post Office address is Je.
-rusalem Mills, Maryland.
PREsT.-Where do you stay in this
city?
Mr.. B.-I have not where to lay my
head in this city, for it seems to be- iuhos-
pits,ble because it is oeerrun with stran-
gers. l go to Alexandria every night,
who're L have the best the Mansion House
can afford. Last night 1 stayed with
judge Underwood. The night after
presented you the application for the par.
don of Gov. Vance laid my head on
stone because they were full at the Metro.
politan Fl otel, and the clerk told me to lie
down on sofa in the parlor, but about
two o'clock the servant came around and
would not relieve that the clerk had sent
me there, So had to go out, and because
it was late, there was nothing left but to
60 outside oie the city limits aud lie down
under tree. But was glad it, for
it afforded m an opportunity to write to
Vance that | had laid my head on q stone
outside Of th e capital of my country, after
spending the last dollar for the pardon of
man who had fought against the gov
eminent and my fathers firesidc-.-that
he should feel under no obligation to me
further than to bring back his State to
her allegiance to the Government, and
himself to his allegiance to God.
l commenced this matter after mature
deliberatiou and prayer, aud have neglect
ed almost every thing to bring it to sue
cessful issue. L am anxious to bring it
to an end, because | have passage prom
Used me to Brazil aud want to 90. After
talking with Judge Underwood, I was al
most inclined to give it up, but I thought
which would be better in after years
that l should travel through the South
and receive the gratitude of little colo
ny of negroes on Davis old plantation or
hear the voice of a great people from the
Potomac to The Rio Grande saying
"This is the m al who got out of his diff
Guilty the man who got US in"
Bat, sir, if they would have any graft
tude to me, to you they would have far
more. Besides, sir, if the Government
wishes to COLOMBO a hundred negroes, has
she not lands enough without taking that
of Davis. Why conGscate his more than
any other l know it is hard for any of
us to 90 backward-I know it is bard to
ask the President to take back that Proc
lamation but
PRIEST How would Proclamation of
Amnesty do?
Mr.. BIT would be just, because the
Law of God declares that if o man smte
his servant and put out his tooth, be shall |