Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-16
TsEAsoN.
EmpOrtant Let er from Attorney
General EEasts.

In the Criminal Court this morning,
District Attorney Darlington called the
attention Ct the court, JUDGE Fisher, 10
the indictments against JEFF. Davis anC
J. II. SuTrstt, who are charged with
engaging in the rebellion, and then read
the following communication from the
Attorney General:
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE.
WAsHIsGToS. d. G., January II, IS Q.
Sir: 1 encloss for your consideration 3
copy OF the proclamation OF general AN.
nesty by the President Of the United
states. under date OF the 18th Of Deoem-
bsr, 1868.
Yoa will observe that by the terms OF
this proclamation there Is extended, un-
cOnGiticnaily and without reserve, 10 ali
and every person who, directly or indi-
rsotiy psrlieipa ed la the late insnrreo-
ton or Rebellion, a full pardon and am
nesty 70. tae offence Of treason against
the United States or adhering to their
enemies during the late civil war. The
Objec. OF my present communication is
TO aulhcTiz. and instruct you in the fur
5heranee OF the purpose Snd effect Of this
general amnesty snd pardon to make an
examination OF the indictments pending
in your district against any person CT
persons WhOmseeyer for the ORense OF
treason against the United States or sd-
herring 10 Iheir enemies during the late
civil Wzr, 10 order that as eSrly as you
shall have proper opportunity you may
enter fsCk.e PTostQat for the Govern
ment upon suel Indictments.
II, upon such examination you should
find any case where, from the tenor OF
the indictment or the nature OF the case
as known 20 you, il should be doubtful
whether Il fails within the embrace oi
this general amnesty and pardon, you
Will be 50 good IS to report the same 70
me without delay, with such a state
meat of the indictment and the case a.
may enabie me 10 give you further In
str0ctions concerning same.
Vary respectfunv, ysur obsdisnt servant.
W. NJ. EYARTs, AtI'y Gen. U. S.
Mr.. Darlington said the Attorney
General had the authority to instruo,
MIN under the first section Of the act o.
August, 1851. twelfth statute at large,
page 2S5, " Aioh reads Tia. the Attorney
General Of tbs United States be and Is
hereby charged with the general super
intendeucs aud direction OF the attorneys
OF all the Uailed States and territories
as 10 the ta4uner of dischargjug theil
respective duties, and the said 4 dstric,
attorneys a4ll uhrelat5 are EeT6DV re-
q1irsd 10 report to the Attorney General
al account Cf their Ofilcisl proceedings,
sud state ani condition Of their respect.
i've oGl3ee, u such TINA and manner s.
the Attorney General may direct.
He tLJrs ore felt IL his duty to obey
these instructions and would in view Of
them enter n1lls pTosequi in case oi
the jBdic. "a ~ of jefferson Davis fol
treason, f.GnI by Ihs grand jury on May
2j 1853, AMI also sn Indictment against
J mn {. BrscAinridge for TREASON, found
on same das. Tne indictment against
J. n. Sugr.lG, found June Is, 1855, ohRrg'
log hiu - i.h eaEsgiBs in rebellion, was
SOM WHIST different from others, and ht
had C Uc,ud "a u make the same dIspo-
sition, puI under lhe circumstances ht
thought thai his du.y would De to report
il . tlt / ,y51ey General.
JIGce FISHER remarked it was clearly
the tuty Il Tie District Attorney to entel
a ntls pT0segI. Ia The two first cases
LIs under tns circumstances he cOulC
refer be tliFI Gsse to the Attorney
Genera.