Year: 1866

GENTLEMEN: | have not hitherto thought
proper to obtrude upon the public any explanation Of
the circumstances connected with my arrest and In.
carceraon in Government fortress at the inciplent
stage OF the recent civil war. The facts OF them.
selves as known TO every familiar with the condi-
tion of things existing at the time in Washington.
deemed amply sufficient at least to SHIELD me from i'm
mutations derogatory to my honor far it cond be
affected by any action Of mine respecting the then po
t6a status Of the country. Nor should now refer
10 the subject II purpose were not apparent by means
Of taun,s and denunciatons. in Congress and else
where TO perpeuate acknowledged wrongs by seeking
10 make those very wrongs the basis Of further perse
cuiion.


Upon the breaking onfof the war; il so happened
that occupied the position of chief magistrate Of this
city. 1t was publicly known that, although ! was
wholly opposcd 10 those Of the South WHO desired to
dseser tie Union and thereby among other stll more
momentous national disasters utterly to ruin the people
Of this city. whose interests somewhat committed
to nv charge. at the same time did not concur in the
dognas and measures Of tho Republican party And
hence IN the universal distrust then prevalent was
objected to persecution entirely nexcusabe and re-
sun from the intense excitement Of the public mind
and morbid appetite for objects Of popular vengeance
Ny loyalty was never subject 10 rational doubt and to


this day there has never been the sembancc Of charge
much less any proof or attempt Of proof preferred
against me- rejecting In any manner upon my devotion
10 tho Union, the Constitu,ion. the laws OF the
country.


These facts are of public notoriey. But II Is not
equally well known that they we're fully acknowledged
by Mr. Lincoln hi. Cabinet aud tho injury done
me in my arrest and imprisonment atoned for by them
the utmost extent In their power. IL is the main OBJ
ec OF this letter place this phase Of the matter be-
fore my friends and rightly aorm those who seem
from recent exhibitions TO be ignorant Of the real facts
OF the case After my return from Fort Lafayette Mr..
Lincoln. in conference had with him at his own In
in the presence ~ the then and present secre
tary Of State maguanimousy Acknowledged In the
most feeling terms tho utter groundlessness Of the
vague ,uspcions upon which the military authorities
had acted in my arrests expressed his deep regret that
the bitter feelings and panic which prevailed at the
time had caused such an instance OF individual oppres
sion and generously preferred any appropriate rpara
ion for the injury that had been done declined
TO make any suggestion but was shortly aferward. as
is well known the present Secretary OF State offered


colonelcy in tho army with the privilege OF position
on the staff Of the Geuoralin Chief and subsequently,.
without my knowledge, nominated to the Senate
for lucrative Office which also refused as coon as
was informed OF the appointment, for the reasons
assigned in letter to Mr.. Lincoln (which the follow
ing Is copy: ,.. .-,,- VOC,
DEAR Sir: I beg leave to express to you my thanks
for the kindness which you have done me IN sending 10
the Senate without the slightest knowledge or enpec'
taton Of my part, my nomination as commissioner
under the law recently enacted for the Abolition oi
Slavery In this District .
This public recognition constitutes Tor me Vihiica'
tioo the value of which only be appreciated by
those who have known what II IL 70 endure most
grievous and unmerited wrong Since my release IRON


Fort Lafayette, II has been one oi my chlci consola
tions to know for myself with absolute certainty that
Won considered my imprisonment 10 have been wholly
undeserved My nomination 20 the Senate now attests
this fact to the whole country. IL Is enough again
/ thank you.


II only remains to say that cannot accept the Office
which YOU tender do not approve the law under
which the office 10 created and Its judicial duties could
not be performed by 10 my entire satisfaction IN
conformity with those provisions Therefore II Is
plainly my duty respectfully to decline the ap'
pointment. and do it AZ thi. early moment In order
that before the Senate takes action In the matter you
may substitute some other name Tor that OF


Yours very respectfully JAMES G. BERREr.


His EIcellency A. LINCOLN President


I declined TO withdraw this leitor. though requested
BY the President so to DO although the circumstances
attending the reception Of the nomination in the Senate
were OF tho most gratifying character. might here
add that there never was time. from the day OF my
release from confinement to that Of the death Of Prss
dent Lincoln II official position had been my ambition.
that 1t might not have been gratfod to the full extent
at least Of nv own appreciation Of my merits.


Under these circumstances. 1 respectfully submit
whether bo consistent with the rules Of honorable
political warfare for members Of Congress in their
places In the National Legislature. or for those
trolling the public press. still to harp upon fragrant
wrong inflicted upon me- and through me. 10 some sI
tent upon the people Of Washington, a. Implying
want Of patriotism on my part and thus 10 intensity
and perpetuate the effects Of an outrage which honor
able gentlemen II might well be supposed. would prefer
to SEQ atoned for or, II not at least forgotten.


Very respectfully and truly yours,


JAMES g. BgRREr.


HIT. WaslinSton. March. 1866.