North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-03
The Amnesty Proclamation-ThcP Pres
tdent's An swer to the Senate.


The President has transmitted to the
Senate Of the United States. the following
in answer to their resolution of inquiry /:
The resolution adopted on the 5th inst,
requesting the President to transmit to the
Senate copy of any proclamation of am
nesty made by him since the last adjourn
ment of Congress, and also to commune
cate to the Senate by what authority of
law it was made, has been received.
accordingly transmit herewith copy Of a
proclamation dated on the 25th day Of
December. The authority of law by
which it was made is set forth in the
proclamation itself, which expressly af-
firms that it was issued by virtue Of the
power and authority in me vested by the
constitution, and in the name Of the
sovereign people Of the United States, and
proclaims and declares, Internationally
and without restriction, to all and to ev-
cry person who directly or indirectly par
ticipated in the late insurrection, or rebel>
lion, a full pardon and amnesty for the
offense of treason against the United
States, cr of adhering to their enemies
during the late civil war, with the restora-
ton Of all their rights and privileges
under the constitution and laws which
have been made in pursuance thereof.
The federal constitution is understood to
be, and is regarded rs the supreme law of
the land. The second section of article I'd
Of that instrument provides that the Pres
ident shall have power to grant reprieves
and pardon for offences against the United
States, except in cases of impeachment.
The proclamation of the 25th ult., is in
strict accordance with the judicial EXPOSE
ton Of the authority thus conferred upon
the executive, as will be seen by reference
to the accompanying papers, and is in
conformity with the precedent established
by general Washington, in 1895, and
followed by President Adams, in 1900;
President Madison, in 1915, and President
Lincoln, in 1868, and by the present Pres
dent, in 1865, 1867 and 1868.
ANDREW JOHNSON
Washington, D. c., Jan. Is, 1869.
The copies accompanying the President S
answer to the Senate are as follows:
l.. The proclamation of Gen. Washing
ton, dated July 10, 1895, granting to
citizens who had been engaged in insur-
rection, and in resisting the collection OF
revenue on distilled spirits and stills, in the
western counties Of Pennsylvania, except
ing certain classes described in the
proclamation, general pardon of all
treason, and other indictable offences.
2. The proclamation Of John Adams,
dated May 81, 1900, granting a full
pardon to all and every person, including
some persons excepted in President
Washington's proclamation, engaged in
said Instruction, thereby remedying and
releasing unto all such persons all plans
penalties incurred, for, or on account of
the premises.
8. The proclamation Of James Madison,
Of Feb. Is, 1915, concerning foreigners
flying from danger at their own homes,
and certain citizens of New Orleans, who,
forgetful of their duty, had co-operated in
forming the establishment on the island of
Barrataria, near the mouth of the river
Mississippi, for the purpose Of claLdes-
tine and iawless trade.
The government of the United States
caused the establishment to be broken up,
and proceeded to prosecute the offenders
by indictment, &c. For the reason set
forth in the proclamation, President Mad
ison granted to the offenders full pardon
of all offences committed against the laws,
or touching the intercourse of commerce
of the United States with foreign nations,
and the President directed that all such
indictments and prosecutions for fines,
penalties, and forfeitures, be discontinued.
4. The proclamation of President Lin
coin, dated the 9Th day of December, lS-
SO, which is familiar to the public, grant
ing to all persons, certain classes excepted,
who participated in the rebellion, full
freedom and the restoration Of oil rights
of property, except as to slaves, and in
cases where the rights of third
parties have interviewed. In the proclama-
ton Mr.. Lincoln begins by citing the
provision in the constitution empowering
the President to grant reprieves and pard-
ons. the laws Of Congress declaring for>
feiture, &C.. and authorizing the President
to issue proclamations of pardons and am
nesty, with suchexceptions as the executive
may deem proper, then cited Mr.. Lin
coin. referring to this act, adds:
Whereas, "The congressional declara-
ton for limmited and conditional pardons
accords with the established judicial ex-