Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-08-16
A. Durham, Esq, Prison." This envel-
ope shows, also, some apparently idle scrib-

A. Durham, Esq, Prison" This envel-
ope shows, also, some apparently idle scrib-
Ings. -----e-----
TIT APRIL 26, 1867
DUNHAM 1t ia all right. The matter will rest
for the present or till the thing is argued in May
You will not leave the city ad interim. MIR. A. will
return next week, when any other matters will be
adjusted.
Yours, W. B. NJ.
This is written on small scrap, in ink,
superscribed &c C. A. Durham, present. -
On still smaller and much soiled scrap. in
pencil, but evidently by the same hand, is
this memorandum, or explanation
ssThe s' Court" cannot act without being a
ssparticeps crina5nis.'
3 Congress will, at the proper time, exercise lis
3. Witnesses will be first called before the COM
mittee.
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 envelope from the
Executive Mansion, endorsed " Received
from Mrs Durham, July 80, 1867" The
papers having come from the hands of a
person whose application for pardon was
undergoing official examination here, were,
for very obvious reasons, associated with it
in considering the matter. Struck bystheir
extraordinary character. yet, remembering
in how unexpected and casual manner
they had been received at the Executive
Office, [ Immediately determined, that I'M
til [ should have made this report, their
quality and significance, whatever these
may be, should remain unchanged by in
vestigation. or by any extraneous connec-
ton OF association whatever, not only of re-
cord, but, as far as practicable, in my own
mind. This course it Us necessary to bear
in recollection in the act of estimating the
probable weight Or value of the allegations.
There is, indeed, one exception to this
Never having seen the handwriting of the
Hon. J. nj. Ashley, [ thought it due to him
that [ shO1ld not proceed without acqulr-
ing a notion OF his genuine chirography.-
l therefore exhibited that letter which was
written by Mr.. Ashley to recommend the
pardon OF Durham to a gentleman &C
quainted with his handwriting. The lat
ter, without hesitation, recognized that let
ter as genuine The others strikingly re-
somble it.
In conclusion, beg leave to express the
profound sensibility with which find my
self obliged to bring to the serious notice
of the President Of the United States accu-
sations and papers which must occasion
him painful embarrassment. They expose
prominent members of the Legislature OF
the Union to the shocking suspicion of hav-
ing conspircd with convicted perlurer for
a stupendous imposition-tirst upon the
House of Representatives, then upon the
people, and then upon the Senate OF the
United States, for the purpose Of eitecting
the impeachment and removal from office
of President of the United States, solely
upon suborned testimony. l need not say
with what astonishment mankind would
hear it charged that a scheme SO abomina-
BILE was heightened still by tho peculiar
wickedness Of attempting to induce the in
tended victim himself, through appeals to
his clemency, to qualify, by a pardon, with
consequent competency to act and testify,
the principal instrument of the lmposture J!
But, improbable as the existence OF such a
conspiracy may seem, is not the President
exposed to grave accountability for what
ever consequences may possibly follow an
incredulity too generous in the premises,
to be INDUCED merely because these adven-
titious data have been thrust upon his ca
sual notice by a party who has been dis
honored by criminal verdict, but who is
still, in the expressed opinion OF compe-
tent professional persons, qualified to be
vehicle of truth in a court of Justice
/ thus lay the whole matter before your
Excellency, for your better judgment. In
the meantime the application for pardon
will be suspended.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN NJ. BINCKLEY,
Acting Attorney General.
To ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the Uni
ted States