Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-20
Enecdote of Andy Johnson.


The following truthful incident, which
occurred at the White House in 1865,
has never before been ia print: Soon af-
ter President Johnson's pardon proclama
ton of 1865 was published in the south
ern states, the rush of petitions and per-
sonal applications for the benefit of its
provisions became SO great that he was
obliged to notify the attorney general to
send no more applications for pardon to
the executive, until further orders A
day or two after this tall, lathy, cadav-
erous looking rebel applied to chief c.erk
Peasants, aud begged for an early trans
mission of his "pardon paper to the
President.
He was shown the latter's written or
der affecting such cases, and informed
that although appearing regular on their
face, and within the scope and intent of
the proclamation, no official action could
be taken on them in the attorney gener-
ais office until further orders from the
President. The applicant seemed great
" cast down by the intelligence; said he
was far gone with consumption, and
scarcely able to leave his bed that he
possessed little property in the state of
Tennessee, which he desired to leave un-
incumbered for the support Of his family;
that he had been staunch Union man
from the beginning, and was, moreover,
townsman and personal friend Of the
President; that if he could see him it
would be all right; that he had been at
the White House tying to gain admis-
sion, but was too weak and sick to wait
in the lobby for lis turn, when so many
were crowding ahead of him, &C.; and
entreated Mr.. p. to make an exception
in bis case, send up his petition, and he
would guarantee that Andy" instead
of censuring him, would thank him for
having done so. The mans story and
sickly appearance excited Mr.. Peasants
sympathy to such an extent that he dis
obeyed the Presidents order, gave him
his papers, with the necessary approvals
and endorsements from the Attorney
Generals Office, and started him for the
White House. Feeling somewhat un
CCEldiu w IiOW IttT liliS ulSItOdTu vi
positive instructions would be tolerated,
he concluded couple of hours after
wards, to step over to the executive office
and stake an observation. On entering
he WAS surprised to see his rebel acquaiu-
lance sitting with two or three others in
one corner of the room, waiting his turn
to obtain hearing. The President pur.
posely gave audience to the others first,
aud dismissed them, when the following
colloquy ensued:
"Mr. Peasants, did I not forbid the
forwarding to me Of any more applica-
tons for pardon until further orders?"
Yes, Mr.. President, you did; but"
"Wby have you disobeyed my orders
and sent this man to me to day:'
Because, Mr.. President, his seemed
to me to be peculiarly exceptional case.
The man is sick; he can't live long. Be-
sides, he claimed to be an old aequaint-
ance and friend of yours, aud l confess
that my sympathies were aroused by his
story"
"Mr. Ploasants," the President replied,
when the war broke out l was COMPEL
ed to leave my home hurriedly to escape
being hung by the rebels. They were
not satisfied with driving me away, but
they threatened to pull down my house.
They drove away my servants, and my
invalid wife and family were also finally
driven out of my house. One of my old
neighbors and acquaintance headed the
band of outlaws that did all this. Mr..
Peasants, if you were in my place what
would you do with that accused scoun-
drel if you ever had him 10 your power?
"Mr. President, I'd hang him if it cost
me my life the next minute"
The President turned, pointed to the
groveling petitioner for executive par
don aud said in whitening cultural, bass:
There sits the Internal pirate! That's
the mani Hang himl Hang such
worthless rascal as that? No sir, III
pardon him. D-n him. I'll pardon
him, if its tho last official act of my life."
Summouing his pardon clerk from an
adjoining room, he continued impetuous-
ly-" Col. Long, make out this mans
pardon and send the d-n rascal back to
Tennessee" And pardoned he was.
The poor eur never so much as raised his
head in denial but pocketed the Presi-
dents invective along with his pardon,
sneaked out Of the White House and out
of Washington city, and was living when
A. j. retired from office. - Miwaakee
NeWs.
A case of Deafness of IA years stand.