nt that Mr.
Lincoln had had in mind a scheme for the organization of the States
that had been in rebellion and that Mr. Johnson's proclamation for the
government of North Carolina was not a wide departure from that
scheme.

General Grant was present at two meetings of the Cabinet in Mr.
Lincoln's time, when a proclamation was read and considered. In the
language of General Grant, "after the assassination it continued right
along and I was there with Mr. Johnson." General Grant's interest was
directed to two points: First, that civil government should be set up
but subject to the final action of Congress, and second, that the
parole should not be infringed. He states his position thus:

"I was always ready to originate matters pertaining to the army, but I
was never willing to originate matters pertaining to the civil
government of the United States. When I was asked my opinion about
what had been done I was willing to give it. I originated no plans and
suggested no plans for civil government."

The examination by Mr. Eldridge was in the nature of cross-examination
and for the purpose of gaining an admission from General Grant that he
had advised or sanctioned President Johnson's plan of reconstruction.
Hence General Grant's declarations that his part was limited to the
military side of the measure and that in his view the entire plan was
subject to Congressional action.

General Grant's testimony is explicit upon these points: He advised
President Johnson to grant a pardon to General Lee and a pardon to
General Johnston. He was especially urgent in favor of a pardon to
General Johnston in consideration of his speech to his army at the time
of the surrender. He advised against the proclamation of amnesty upon
the ground that the act was then premature.

General Grant's testimony adds strength to the statement that President
Johnson contemplated the recognition of a Congress composed of
Democratic members from the North and of the representatives from the
States that had been organized under the President's proclamation.

"I have heard him say--and I think I have heard him say it twice in his
speeches--that if the North carried the election by members enough to
give them, with the Southern members, a majority why would they not be
the Congress of the United States?"

In answer to this question: "Have you heard him make a remark
kindred to that elsewhere?" General Grant said:

"Yes, I have heard him say