Matthew F. Pleasants to Zephaniah Turner, 29 January 1867

About This Item

Title: Matthew F. Pleasants to Zephaniah Turner, 29 January 1867
Date: January 29, 1867
Creator(s): Matthew F. Pleasants | Walt Whitman
Whitman Archive ID: nar.00201
Source: National Archives and Records Administration. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the manuscripts, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Elizabeth Lorang Kevin McMullen John Schwaninger Nima Najafi Kianfar
Cite this page: Pleasants, Matthew F. and Walt Whitman. "Matthew F. Pleasants to Zephaniah Turner, 29 January 1867." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 09 May 2025. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
Source File: nar.00201.xml (TEI)

Image 1

January 29, 1867. Hon. Zeph. Turner, House of Delegates, Richmond, Va. Sir: I am directed by the Attorney General, in consequence of the great pressure of public business, to say, that he regrets to be unable to give you an opinion upon the question presented in your letter of the 25th inst. Apart from the fact that it might commit him beforehand upon questions likely to arise in the regular course of administration, he is forbidden by law from giving opinions on points of law, unless propounded by the President, or the Head of an Executive Department. He hopes, therefore, that you will excuse him for not complying with your request. Respectfully yours, M. F. Pleasants, Chief Clerk.