Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-05-20

uons NuaeNe nether his shot took effect or not seems
to be matter OF great uncertainty.
| Or the 9th instant, the Court re-assembled al
New Orleans, and having concluded its business in
that city, adjourned TO meet at Louisville, where
severn new witnesses are to be examined. The
Cour will then adjourn to Frederick, Md where
il is u convene on the 29lh OF the present month
for ihs completion OF its business.
THIRTY-THIRD DAY.-MAY 9, 1s4S.
ions MAGINNis called and duly sworn.
/ Byise Judge Aar0cdfe.-Q. Look at the paper signed
(" Lecdas, and state what you know in relation 10 that
! paper
A. 4 the night of the 9TH or the morning Of the
9Th OF September last, say about o'clock, that first saw
the paer. (Leonidas awoke BY the foreman, and
informal that the Mexican news had arrived Witness here
stated that it his business make the Mexican
arriving at night the editors generally absent
Among the letters and papers the package packages
this letter which have my hand, NO. as as can
identify any document that lad my possession af
terwares gave the letter 10 Mr. James L. Freaner.
| Q. Do you know what package that paper came in !
A. To the best Of my recollection, it in package
with letters and documents from Mr. Freaner OF Mex
| can news.
O. Do you consider Mr. James L. Freaner your auho
agent for correct reports of what anpes IN and about
the army in Mexico wherever be may be and if would
the letter signed Leonidas have been pubshedn your pa
per had not to you enclosed in your package Of
respondence
A. consider Mr.. Freaner authorized agent for
rect reports of what ranspres in Mexico believe the letter
signed Leondas would not have been published in the Delta
had in Mr. FieanePs package, supposed to
have in his PACKAGE and with his sanction. The pack
ages were broken open and their contents mixed together
when was called up. believed then it (the "Leondas
eter) came u Mr.. Freaners package, and believe
Judge ALExAsDER WALLER called and duly
BY HE Judge Adrocate.-Q Look at the paper No of
the letter of Leoda and state your knowledge Of that paper
A. am the editor of the Delta, having charge Of the ed
toa NATTER especially that portion OF the paper devoted to
Mr. VIII hast lIst
taken, being always The spot is in the habit of examining
and arranging the packages which FROM Mexico in my
absence The Mary Kngsand, the steamer which brought
the first dispatches from Mexico relating to the battles of the
valley, arrived in this city on morning of the sth Septem-
Der last about o'clock The packages brought for the
Delta broken in the Office, in order get for that
mornings edition hasy account of the battles. When
came 10 the editorial Office found, among the letters which
had been brought by the Mary Kngand, this letter of Lee
ondas, which is marked No. g. and which presumed had
been sent by regular correspondents Mr. James L. Feaner
read the letter, and not being pleased with lis style char
acer, LAID aside for consideration Finding, however, that
the letter contained some information relative the battles
and knowing the great anxiety Of the public catch every
report statement bearing those interesting events and
believing had been approved OF by correspondent,
thought proper TO publish the l0h September with
celaons, omissions and alterations the obec. Of which
improve its style and moderate the exavagance of its
praise OF particular officers and corps believing that the
public would value it did the enanaton Of
young ocsr, whose observations being confined TO the ope
raons of his corps led him naturally exaggeate its
achievements will the alterations On the second page
is the first inerlnestion which feel certain made by me;
is the word :. victorious substituted for triumphant
think the words 81 advance the page, erased
BY On the fourth page the inerlnea,ion of which
have very distinct recollection and of the object in view
in making the words 'swere compelled wade"
erased clutches, few lines further boldly is erased
and with great ardor nerpoaed The ensures and can
ceaions on the fourth page were all made by On tia
fifth page there of Gen. Pillow" and
terlineation Of seen. Smith, which made All the
sures and nerneaons the sixth, seventh, and eighth
pages were made by do that not,
cept the address "To the editors Of the Union which
sure, suppose, made by The writer.
By Prosecton-Q. Have any attempts been made TO in
fuence the Delta towards certain general officers of the Uni
ted States Army has any undue influence been used towards
that end, and through whom, and in respect to what
general officers
A. When Gen. Pillow returned from the battle of Cerro
Gordo be attacked 10 the papers for his conduct in that
battle the editor of the Delta, defended him and replied
to those attacks, without knowing Gen. Pillow personally
This led 10 controversy between the Delta and other papers,
which induced the political and personal friends Of Gen. Pill
low 10 look upon the Delta the paper which most like
defend MIN, in he got into other Difficult les had
refer to Gen. Pillow after the Cero Godo
overy, until after the battles Of Conreas and Churubusco
Up to that time my relations with Gen. Pillow did extend
ond simple introduction and short conversation with him
upon general subjects which introduction and conversation
accidental DESTROYS Of avoiding any intimacy
with officer whom bad defended with earnesncss
The only communication made by Gen. Pillow with
view OF influencing letter, addressed 10 the Hon.
John Sde, enclosing letter which published in the
Delta private letter addressed Ivy Gen. Pillow friend
this city, copy Of which had been previously address
ed to the Editors Of the Pcayune by Major Burns In the let
ter TO Mr. Sde Gen. Pillow expressed his surprise that the
Delta bad manifested hostility towards him, criDg to
article which appeared 9th Of November q beleve) in
relation TO the battle Of Conrera requesting Mr. Sdel 10
call by name and show that not to
teres attack him, and defending his conduct generally
ting forth his defence in such impressed with
he lad
a member Of the SINE political party himself
BIZ Prosecution-Q Was any indication given 10 those
interested the Delta that would be the advantage Of said
officers Of the L. s. Army, And so, in respect what
general officers and by whom
A. The friends Of Gems Pillow and Worth in this city have
approached with view Of inducing defend those
gentlemen in their controversy with Gen Scott by arguments
addressed political has not by any influences that would
| be unusual, or perhaps improper.
By Defenoe.-Q. Witness will examine the number Of the
Delta here shown containing the first publication Of the letter
OF Leondas dated 9th Sept, ls47 and the editorial
remarks preceding It's insertion those which controlled the
action Of the editors in its insertion.
The editorial request may be entered upon the record
and then by saying speaks for itself CAS- every
thing relating the great battles recently fought the city
OF Mexico at present deeply interesting give the follow
ing description Of those battles, written by gentleman
sched to the division Of Gen. Pillow The esprit d corps
Of the writer may have led him into natural and excusabe
Of praise OF his DIVISION but be nothing
in dspasgement Of The other divisions Of the army, give
his letter. emitting parts Of it. in order TO get II into our
| present very crowded columns"
@ Witness will what time the letter addressed 70