Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-05-22
GRANT AND LEE.
The Correspondence Apperiaining to the
Act of ETagnanimity.
Boston Globe Washington Letter.

Boston Globe Washington Letter.
Mr.. Voorhees, alluded the other day to
the fact that the President, as Lieutenant
General interviewed to prevent Robert T..
Lee and other paroled rebel Generals being
annoyed by United States Judge I'm
derwoods superseryiceable zeal.
Here is the correspondence
''RICHMoND, IS June, '65
"GENERAL-Upon reading the Presi-
dents proclamation of the 18th ulto., l
came to Richmond to ascertain what was
proper or required of me to do, when |
learned that, with others, | was to be in
dicted for treason by the grand jury at
Norfolk. | had supposed that the officers
and men of the army of West Virginia
were, bv the terms Of their surrender, pro-
tected bv the United States Govern
ment from mOlestation, So long as they
cOnformed to its conditions.
L am ready to meet any charges that
may be preferred against me, and do not
wish to avoid trial, but If | am correct as
to the projection granted by my parole
and am not to be prosecuted, / desire TO
comply with the Presidents proclamation,
and therefore enclose the required applica
ton, which [ request, in that event, may
az am. with great respect, your ob't serv't,
'R. Z. LEE"
alt. GenI L. S. Grant,
Cong the armies Of the L. 5.
COPY OF ENDORSEMENT.
RICHMOND, 18th June, '65.
ar. E. LEE: Understanding that, with
others. he is to be indicted for treason by
the grand Jury at Norfolk, states his readi-
ness to meet any charges that may be
brought forward. Had supposed that the
terms of his surrender protected him. If
they should he desires to comply with
provisions of amnesty proclamation, and
therefore incloses the required application,
which in that event he requests may be
acted on"
One inCloSure-
Reed at L. s., June Is, 1860.
Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary
of War.
"In my opinion, the officers and men
paroled at APPROXIMATION G.. H., and since
upon the same terms given to Lee, can not
be tried for treason 50 long as they observe
the terms of their parole. This is my UNI
derstanding. Good faith as well as true
policy dictates that we should observe the
conditions of that convention. Bad faith
I on the part of the Government, or con-
structiOn of that convention subieCting Of
fcers to trial for treason, would produce a
| feeling of insecurity in the minds OF all
DaroIed officers and men. If so disposed,
| the might even regard such an infractlon
of terms by the Government Us an entire
! release from all obligations on their part.
| will state, further, that the terms grant
ed by me met with the hearty approval OF
the President at the time, and of the coun-
! try generally. The action of Judge Un-
| derWoOd in Norfolk has already had an III
| turing effect and ] would ask that he be
| ordered to quash the indictments found
| against paroled prisoners of war, and to
| desist from further prosecution OF them.
! "U. S. GRANT.
"Lieutenant-General
"Headquarters \. L. s., June 10, 'G5.
.....s RICHMOND, Is June, '65.
"HiS E,rccNcncy Andrcw johnson, PreSj-
dent of the United States:
"SIR: Being excluded from the provis-
| ions of amnesty and pardon contained i'll
the proclamation of the Goth ult., | here
by apply for the benefits and full restOra-
ton of all rights and privileges extended
| to those included in its terms.
| II graduated at the Military Academy at
West Point in June, 1929. Resigned from
| the United States army April 1861 was q
| General Of the Confederate army, and in
cluded in the surrender Of the army OF
| West Virginia, 8 April, 80.
81 have the honor to be, very respectful
ly, your obedient servant,
COPY OF ENDORSEMENT.