In February 1866, he was called to testify before the Joint Congressional Committee on Reconstruction in Washington, where he expressed support for Johnson's plans for quick restoration of the former Confederate states, and argued that restoration should return, as far as possible, to the status quo ante in the Southern states' governments (with the exception of slavery).
I februar 1866 blev han indkaldt som vidne for Kongressens fælleskomite om genforening i Washington, hvor han gav udtryk for støtte til præsident Andrew Johnsons planer om en hurtig genetablering af de tidligere Sydstater og argumenterede for at genforeningen så vidt muligt skulle genskabe status quo ante i de sydlige staters styre (bortset fra slaveri).