|
Washington City May 24/65 |
| |
| To His Excellency |
| The Prest of the United States |
| |
| I propose to reorganize the
Memphis & Charleston Rail Road Co by calling a meeting of the
stockholders and electing a board of Directors who are known to be Loyal
and active supporters of the Govt of the United States, to be approved
by the Govt & military authorities. When this is done I ask that the
Road and its Rolling Stock be turned over to that board. |
| In order that I may do this I
ask a Special Amnesty be granted to me or I be permitted to take the
Amnesty Oath, restoring me to the rights of citizenship, if I have ever
forfeited such right. I desire to give an active and hearty support to
the Govt of the United States in all things and aid in building up what
has been pulled down and restore law and order and Civil Govt in my own
State. I have never taken any oath of allegiance to the Confederate Govt,
nor held office under it or any State embraced therein either Civil or
Military. I believe it the duty of all men to give their active and
hearty support to the United States Govt, and intend to do so myself
without any reservation and do all in my power to put down all
opposition to it. The Confederate Govt ordered by its military authority
all the stock belonging to the Memphis & Charleston Rail Road Company
South early in 1862 and distributed the same on the several Rail Roads
operated or controlled by said military authorities, the board of
directors of said Memphis & Charleston Rail Road Co. requested and
insisted on my accompanying said machinery and try and preserve it from
destruction if possible, and return it to their road when in his power
to do so. I went South with this machinery and have been engaged in
taking care of it and have never been able to get possession of it until
the 7th Inst when I ordered it back to the Road and returned to my home
at Memphis & proposed to take the Oath of Allegiance and the Amnesty
Oath, but found a military order preventing any citizen from taking the
Amnesty Oath, hence my application to you. My sole object in going South
was that above stated. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Sam Tate |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| Executive |
| May 31, 1865 |
| Case of Sam Tate |
| Tenn. |
| Application for special Pardon |
| Referred to the Hon Attorney General, who
will issue pardon in this case, upon condition that said Tate take the
oath of allegiance. |
| Let him also signify his
acceptance of said pardon in writing. |
| Andrew Johnson |
| President U. S. |
|