Guy Gugliotta

Some of us who had adhered to the Confederacy felt it to be our duty that we were to participate in the politics of the Union, to let Confederate ideas rule us no longer.

Regarding the subjugation of one race by the other as an appurtenance of slavery, we were content that it should go to the grave in which slavery had been buried.

I think that difficulties arise mainly from the disturbances in the minds of the people on account of the war and its results, and the changes brought in society by these causes.

Some action by Congress is desirable, and that action should be founded upon the power which Congress possesses under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

I have no doubt of the fact that Congress possesses such power.

Are you the wife of Jim Williams?

They are to be convicted.

Some would be imprisoned.

Some sent to the penitentiary.

And some would be hung.

Sir, I hereby resign the Office of Attorney General of the United States.

This resignation to take effect in accordance with the wish which you verbally expressed to me today on the 10th of January next.

A.T.

Ackerman, Department of Justice, December 13th, 1871.