Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-17
The seventh congressional District.

vatiye candidate, on the question OF eligibility,
we publish below his petition 10 be relieved OF
the 'test OATH" his letter to Senator " llson,
and the pardon Of the l9th o! August, 1865,
granted BY the President Of the | nlied States.
These papers would, O. themselves, indicate
coD,Dlete elaiLIiy; hut add to this the adop-
ton of the amended Constitution and the cleo
ton of the "Waiker-ticket, and the most
fastidious must be satisfied that Mr.. Shackel-
ford if elected, will take the seat freed from
the test oath.
So strong aud conclusive is the reasoning,
that the amended Constitution aud the Walk
cricket secures the seat, that We see James
c. Taylor on the ticket for Attorney General,
who is under disabilities; and We find Robt.
RidRway, the former editor ot the Wing,
candidate for Congress from the adjoining dis
trict, without objection from any quarter,
and he cannot and will not take the test oath.
WHY then should this issue be unnecessarily
forced upon MIR. Shackel!ord TO crafty Radi-
cal aspirants?
To the Honorable Senate and House Of Rep
resentatireS = The undersigned, B. ii. Shack
eltord, of Warrenton, Fauquier county, Va,
respectfully asks to have his disabilities re-
moved if any exist, under the fourteenth ar,
ticle of the amendments 10 the Constitution OF
the United States. He has never held office
under the government OF the United States,
nor under the State OF Virginia before the war,
and never took an oath as such to support the
Constitution Of the United States lie is now,
and has been for twenty six years, practising
LAWYER at Warrenton, Va. On the 10th day
of Nav, 1863, he took the amnesty oath re-
10, NJ | aims nrAplpnqtlOp
18th day of December, 1865, he took the
amnesty oath required under Mr.. johnson =
proclamation.
He has also, been specially pardoned by
PresidentJ ohnson, bya pardon granted and dated
on the 10th day OF August, 1865, and deliver
ed to him through the Secretary OF State
He is registered voter in his county, and is
under no disability that lie is aware Of except
that arising from having aided in the rebellion.
lie was for the first year OF the war lieuten-
ant and captain in the Confederate service,
and then was q delegate from the county OF
Fauquier in the Virginia Legislature, and was
member at the time of the surrender. lie is
earnestly DESTROYS OF the restoration OF peace
and harmony among all the people OF all the
States of the United States, and that Virginia
may be reconstructed aud restored to the
Union. All which is respectfully submitted.
B. II. SHACKELFoRD.
WARRENToN, VA, January 18TH, 1869.
WARnENroN, Feb. %, 1860.
Hon. ii. WILsoN-Dear sir: Your kind
ness in endorsing my application for the re-
moval of my disabilities, (if any exist on the
recommendation of General Longstreet, renders
it necessary, perhaps, that | should state my
very short political record, particularly as 1t
has been objected to by the committee OF the
lower House.
was an old line Wing. and was the Wing
elector for this district from the canvass OF
1851 to that Of 1860 inclusive, and voted as
eector in 1860 for Bell and Everett. At that
time was opposed to secession as right or
remedy. | was, however, opposed to coercion,
aud favored the immediate action of Virginia
in case OF attempted coercion to side with her
Southern sisters to prevent war and cause
subsequent reconciliation.
and subugation. As citizen Of Virginia, |
ieltthat did right on the principles OF our
government and of humanity. On the ques:.
lions of governmental power and the duty OF
the citizen, | may have been wrong; but
honestly thought otherwise. The great arblter
of battle has decided against Inc and accept
the result, and recognize the duty OF obedience
of the citizen to the government, and do this
in good faith.
As citizen OF Virginia, desire her resto-
ration to the Union, and the return OF peace
and harmony, so that good order and prosperity
may again bless all her people. | never held
office. either State or Federal before the war,
but having been IN the Confederate army and
Legislature, cannot take the ''test- oath. -
The foregoing views, presume, arc sufficient
to indicate the duty OF the citizen to the fede
raj government and under them | thought
| might fairly ask Congress to relieve me OF
such disabitiee as grow on. oil the fourteenth
article, il any, and of the test. OATH .l
1t is possible they may tend TO remove the
objections raised in tho committee l am, very
truly, yours, 4. ii. SHAckELFoRD.
ANDREW JOHNSON, President of TIE United
States of America.
II all to 1chom thest presents shat come
Qrcetiaq.
WHEREAS, b. H. Shackelford, of Eauquier
county. Va, By taking part in the late rebellion
against the government of the United States,
has made himself liable to heavy pains and
penalties, and
WHEREAS. the circumstances of his case
render him a proper object of Executive elem
ency, now, therefore, be it known, that |, An
drew johnson, President of the United States
of America, in consideration OF the premises,
divers other good and sufficient reasons We
thereunto moving, do hereby grant to thesaid
b. H. Shackeiford a full pardon and amnesty
for all offences by him committed, arising
from participation, direct or implied, in the
said rebellion, conditioned as follows, viz This
pardon to begin and take effect from the day
on which the said B. II. Shackeltord shall
take the oath prescribed in the proclamation OF
the President, dated May 90, 1868, and to be
void and of no effect if the said b. III. Shack
cltord shall hereafter, at any time, acquire any
property whatever in slaves, or make use OF
slave labor and that he first pay all costs
which may have accrued in any proceedings
hitherto instituted against his person or pro-
perry, up to the date of the acceptance OF this
warrant.
And upon the further condition that the said
B. IL. Sha,kelford shall notify the Secretary OF
State, in writing, that he has received and &C
ceptcd the foregoing pardon
In testimony whereof. | have hcreunto
signed my name and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed.
Done nj the Civ of Washington this nine