| Columbus, Mississippi |
| June 10th, 1865 |
| |
|
To His Excellency Andrew Johnson
|
| President of the United States of America |
| |
| Wishing to avail myself of the
application for clemency as stated in your proclamation of 29th of May
last, I submit for the consideration of your excellency the following
facts. |
| While I generally voted with
the democratic party before the war, I never took an active part and
put very little interest in political affairs. While I may have
believed in the right of succession as an abstract right, I have
always doubted its expediency; and the present condition of our
country presents conclusive evidence of its dangerous tendency and
folly. |
| I was originally a private in
the 10th regiment of Mississippi Infantry, was appointed a Quarter
Master, and served in that capacity until the date of surrender by Lt.
Genl. Taylor. Having been born in 1824, I was liable to military
service under the first conscription law of the Confederate Congress. |
| It is my desire to be restored
to my rights as a citizen of the United States, with amnesty and
pardon, and restoration of rights of property, promising a faithful
obedience to the Constitution, laws and policy of the United States. |
| I have the honor to be, |
| Very Respectfully |
| George Whitfield |
|