The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-12-03

views on Reconstruction - that time.
may be inferred from the follo~ine por-
ton II his testimony, which indeed con.
tains tie substance Of the whole
recolloet the North Carolina proc
lamation, which wss the first one gl,-
ing State government Was present
when II Was read, and Il was in the d.
reciioD | wanted. l was ANXIOUS 10
see 3 temporary government there, and
did NOT want o. rec anarchy.
Question. Did you give any opinion
in favor Of that proposition
Answer did not give any opinion
against IL ! was in favor Of that or
anything else which looked 10 civil gov
ernment, until Congress could meet and
establish governments there | did
not want oil chaos left there, and no
form Of civil government whatever:
was not IN favor OF anything or oppos-
ed 10 anything particularly, | was silnp-
ly in favor 81 having a government
there | did not pretend to give my
Judgment as to what it should be-
was perfectly Wiling to leave 1t to the
clvil department | asked no person
what should do in my duties. / was
willing 70 take all the responsibility and
did not give my views Ms to what the
civil branch otthegovernmentshouldd do.
BY Mr. Thomas
Question. You have stated your
opinion as TO the rights and privileges
Of Gen Lee and his soldiers, did YOU
mean TO include any political rights 7
Answer. | have explained that / did
not There was no difference Of opin-
ion on this point between President
johnson and me, but there was as TO
whether the parole gave them any priv
Dege or rights.
BY Mr.. Eldridge.
Question. He claiming that il did
not and you that it did
Answer He claiming that the time
must come when they could be tried
and punished, and claiming that the
time would not come, except by viola
ton Of their parole L claimed that l
gave them no political privileges, but
that bad the right AS military com
mander to exchange terms of surren.
der which would protect the lives Of
the prisoners. | believe that il is con-
ceded by everybody that | had that
right. know that Mr. Lincoln con-
coded it at the time.
BY Mr.. Boutwell,.
Question. How recently has the
President expressed to you the opinion
that Gen. Lee or others who had the
benefit OF a parole should be tried and
punished
Answer. Not since about two years.
Question. Have you at ANY time
heard the President make any remark
IN reference to the admission Of mem
bers of Congress from the rebel States
into either House?
Answer. l cannot say positively
what have heard him say on that sub
Iect have heard him say as much.
perhaps, In bis published speeches last
as | ever heard him say at all
upon that subject. / have heard him
ray Il think / have hoard him twice in
MS speeches) that if the North carried
he elections by members enough TO
yiye them, with the Southern members.
majority, why would they not be the
congress- OF the United States / have
heard him say that several times.
By MIR. Williams.
Question. When you say the North
'ou mean the Democratic party of the
North, or in other words, the party
avoring his policy2
Answer. Imean if the North carried
nongh members in favor of the adj
mission of the South. / did not hear
lim say that he would recognize them
8 Congress l merely heard him ask
lie question. "why would they not be
be Congress. ! heard him say that in
ne or two speeches-do not recollect ,
where. /,
BY Mr.. Boutwell,.
Question. Have you heard him .
aake remark kindred to that else
there?
Answer. Yes, have heard him say
hat aside from his speeches, in con- t
ersstion; cannot say just when. 1t !.
Tas probably about that same time. z
In relation to the North Carolina
Gen. Grant said be had P
rst heard it read before the President i
nd the Secretary Of War. and testified !,
! follows:
/ do not think expressed any opin-
IN on it at the time. / looked upon it {
! simply q temporary measure, until r
ongress should meet and settle the p
hole question, and that it did not :.
AXE much difference how il was done, 4,
, that there was form of government I
lsre. ] think / Was present at the Il
me, by an invitation Of either the
resident or the Secretary OF War. / m
oppose / was free TO express my views n.
suppose the object was that l should
Ipress my views if / could suggest c.
ly change / don't think / was ask Ii,
| my views. ] think il was ask tn
| the question would have assentod 'e
J that or almost anything else that in
onld have given stable government 70
ere
In reference TO the opinion l gave =. -
ie President on the amnesty procla- a.
alton, think | have testified pretty "a