Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Smith
Below is a full transcript of the Petition for Amnesty & Pardon made by Jack Smith to President Andrew Johnson after the Civil War.
Jacket
4498
John J. Smith
Bosque County, Texas
R. Filed Dec. 12, 1866.
13th Ex
(Recom’d by the Gov.)
Ordered by the President.
Pardoned Dec. 12, 1866.
At bottom stamped
Received from Department of Justice
December 18, 1894
R. & P. 402985
Second Page
Atty General
No record.
John Smith
Texas
Third Page
Columbus Indiana May 28 1867
Mr President –
Some time last December in company with Hon Ralph Hill member of Congress from this district – I left with – you the application of John Smith of Texas for special pardon with divestitures indorsed on the back thereof to forward the pardon to his son A B Smith at Hurst Station Miss, A B Smith is my brother in law and he writes me that he has heard nothing from the application. As to the character of A B Smith and probably his father too I infer you to Gov Sharkey.
Respectfully yours
S Stansifer
Nov Andrew Johnson
President
Washington DC
Fourth Page
Forward Pardon
To AB Smith
Forrest Station
Miss
Fifth Page
To His Excellency Andrew Johnson
President United States of America
Your Petitioner, John J Smith, a resident of Bosque County in the State of Texas respectfully shows that sometime in August A.D. 1865 he took and subscribed the Amnesty Oath provided for in the Proclamation of your Excellency issued the day of A.D. 1865_ that he did not believe at the time of taking said oath nor does he now believe that his estate was worth twenty thousand dollars and that his property consists mainly of real estate the title to which he has not perfected.
That he has occupied one tract about ten years under a defective title [strikethrough] under a bond for title executed by a [indecipherable] agent having a forged power of atty[strikethrough]. As he believes that he bought an adjoining tract in 1862 and holds a bona fide title. The greater part of the purchase money remaining unpaid. That no doubts have been expressed as to whether the estate of Petitioner did not exceed twenty thousand dollars in value, he deems it proper to apply to your Excellency for special pardon in that
Sixth Page
your Petitioner adhered to the cause of the so called Confederacy but his relations with many Union men were friendly & intimate. The reasons considered, your Petitioner prays that your Excellency may grant him a special pardon & as in duly [indecipherable] he will ever pray to.
J J Smith [signature]
I J.R. Hilton, chief Justice Bosque Co. do hereby cheerfully recommend the above application to the favorable consideration of your Excellency.
Chief J. Bosque Co
Seventh Page
Executive Office
Austin Tx Nov 10 1866
To His Excellency
President Johnson,
The application for pardon of Mr John J Smith of Bosque County Texas is formally recommended to Your Excellency.
J W Throckmorton (James Webb Throckmorton)
Eyes of the
State of Texas
Eighth Page
This application is made under $20,000. Exception –
Let due pardon issue –
A.J.
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