[47] The repudiation of the Sherman-Johnston agreement of April 18th was of a negative character, and did not commit the administration to any policy. Coming, as it did, so shortly after his inauguration, it was taken by those expecting harsh measures from the President as an indication of such a policy. An examination of the circumstances, however, shows that Johnson was merely following the policy supposed to have been adopted by Lincoln, and evidenced by instructions sent to Grant on March 3 in regard to a proposed conference with Lee. Stephens' charge (_War between the States_, ii, 632), that Johnson was bound to ratify the agreement as consistent with the Crittenden Resolution of 1861, is inadmissible. Generals in the field manifestly have no right to decide momentous political questions. For a copy of the Sherman-Johnston agreement, and the official dispatch giving particulars of its disapproval, see McPherson, _Hist. of Recon._, 121-2. [48] McPherson, p. 13-14. [49] McPherson, p. 8. [50] See Appendix; Savage, _Life and Public Services of Andrew Johnson_, 370-373. [51] Blaine, ii, 70-76, ascribes this amnesty proclamation to the personal influence of Mr. Seward, who favored all but the 13th excepted class (property holders above $20,000). This certainly offers a good explanation of the promptness of his action, and is not inconsistent with the theory of Johnson's attitude as outlined above. [52] McPherson, p. 11; Blaine, ii, 77, 78. [53] Tennessee, of course, having been reorganized during Lincoln's administration, under the direction of Military Governor Johnson, cannot be considered in connection with Johnson's policy as President. Louisiana and Arkansas also retained their reorganized governments until the reconstruction acts took effect. See Blaine, ii, 79, 80. [54] The phraseology differed in the different States, depending upon the sensitiveness and pride of the legislature. [55] McPherson, _Reconst._, 7, 8. [56] McPherson, _Reconst._, 49. [57] _Ibid._, 51-2. [58] McPherson, 20. [59] _Ibid._, 21-2. [60] McPherson, 43; Blaine, ii, 102-3. [61] See _Why the Solid South_, edited by Hilary A. Herbert, for a detailed presentation of the Southern view. [62] The report of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction, June 18th (_House Reports_, No. 30, 1st Session, 39th Congress; McPherson, 84-93), gives a spirited summary of the action of the Southern States since the appointment of the provisional governors. See also Blaine, _Twenty Years of Congress_, ii, 84-107. [63] Lalor, iii, 546.