Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-08-14

We doubt not that the instructions to the
District Attorney will be quite specific; but
it is due to all concerned that they should
perfectly comprehend the limits proposed to
be placed by the Government upon its act OF
grace. The purpose of this communication is
chiefly to give them and the public all the
light that may be afforded by review of the
conversations had with the President and the
Attorney General.
1t will be seen that Mr.. Williams designates
the excepted class as cases of "great aggraua'
tion." This expression is susceptible Of a con-
struction that would exclude very large
number of persons from the clemency really
intended to be extended by the President, ifit
stood alone. Mr.. Williams himself did not
employ these words in any very comprehen-
sive sense, because he Immediately qualities
their generality by saying, "There are, hon.
ever, but teW Of such cases ''o'O '0'th'" my
knowledge"
We understood the President to use the ex-
preston already quoted, when he designated
the class of cases excepted-that is, murder
or other violent outrage" Wedid not allup.
on him to define more closely, because he then
proposed to remove all misunderstanding Of
terms, by naming the persons excepted In
the paragraph of the Presidents letter to Mr..
Williams, read to US at our last interview, I
think the expression employed to designate
this excepted class, was substantially ceases
of murder or violence resulting in loss Of
life."
Considering the scope and tone of the con-
versations had with the President and the At
torney-General, the kind expressions used by
both, and especially by the President in rela-
ton to the sufferers and the evident desire to
invite the return of absentees, to relieve anx-
ietes and to restore confidence and good feel
ing, I have no hesitation in saying that, in my
opinion, the proposed relief will be found to
embrace all but those who have been charged
with direct participation in murder, or vio-
lence resulting in loss of life" which is, as l
have said, the felicitous and unambiguous ex-
preston of the President in his note to Mr.
Williams, as / remember it.
In conclusion, I deem it due to the Hon. F.
A. Sawyer to say that we we're much indebted
to him for facilitating our approach to the
Attorney. General, and for other courtesies.
Hoping that your citizens may derive much
relief from our efforts, and that new policy
may henceforth be pursued in relation to those
in whose behalf these efforts have been en-
ployed that all your exiled citizens may
soon be restored to their families, their friends
and their industries that your section may
soon resume career of peace and prosperity,
based upon the harmonious cooperation of all
your citizens, I am, very truly yours,
j. B. KERSHAW.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE COMMIs-
sIoNERs AND THE ATToRNEY-GENERAL
WASHINGTON, July 80, 1873
Hon. George FL. HiNiams, Attorney General
SIR: After our conference with you we
proceeded to Long Branch, and were prompt
ly accorded an interview with General Grant,
which was in all respects cordial and satisfac.
tory. The President expressed views of clem-
ency similar to those previously expressed by
you, and said he would address you note
defining the present policy Of the Government
in relation to prosecutions under the Enforce
ment Act. We beg to renew the suggestions
already made that the purposes of the Gov
ernment in the premises be made public, so
that all concerned, particularly the refugees,
may have authentic information from proper
official source, by which they may be able to
govern themselves. Such official announce
ment will, in our opinion, produce great
sense of relief We are, with great respect,
your obedent servants.
(Signed) w. D. PORTER,
J. B. KERSHAW,
w. r. NJ. SIMS.