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Selma Ala, Nov 19th 1865
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| |
| His Excellency Andrew Johnson |
| President of the United States |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor to state that
I am a native of Wake County N. C. 54 years of age born & educated
a Democrat of the Polk and Johnson School, upon which teaching and
practice entered the Confederate Service as a Major and fought for
principle, not negroes, to the end, in all of which I was honest and
unselfish. The sequel however proved that if our principles were
properly based the policy was ruinous, and as a good Soldier and an
honest man I was compelled to acknowledge that we had ended and it was
our duty to yield to the circumstances which surrounding us -- which I
do with full confidence in the justice of the Administration and
hereby respectfully ask that pardon be granted me upon the terms of
the proclamation of 29th May 1865. |
| I am not worth $20,000 clear
of debt, but having in my name property & title that would be
estimated perhaps, to that amount it became a question which I am not
able to divine. I therefore, in order to be placed on equal footing
with my fellow citizens, and further that by such course I develop the
fact that I regard my self as satisfied with the Govt in the present
state of affairs & shall in future conform to its requirements as
a loyal citizen. |
| Without the advise of
attorneys or the payment to "pardon Butter" I have made this
simple statement and petition and with the hope its want of formality
may not be an obstacle to its meeting your approbation I am sir |
| Very Respectfully Your |
| Obt Sevt |
| Thos Peters |
| Selma Ala |
| {pardoned March 2,
1866} |
|