American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-23

Records OF tho late Commission ON
Mexican Claims.
10 The Editors Of the American Telegraph.
GENTLEMEN: The writer of this wishes to add
something to what has already appeared in
your independent paper ON the subject of the
proceedings of the late Board of Commissioners
on Claims against Mexico.
The act Of Congress establishing the Board
provides that "phen the said commission shall
be concluded, the journal of its proceedings, to-
gether with all the records, documents and pa
pers which shall have come into its possession
relating to the business of said Board, shall be
deposited in the office of the Secretary of State
The Board concluded its business on the 18th
or 10th of April last, and the Commissioners
left the city day or two after that time.
The question now arises, has this important
and positive direction of the law been complied
with !? If it has not, then why has it been dis
regarded? 1t is understood that all the papers
were left by the Commissioners in the hands Of
their Secretary, Mr. Davis, who was appointed
to that place only about two weeks before the
Board ceased to exist, and that they still re-
main in his custody in the building in which
the Board transacted its business. And it is
stated that this Secretary is now absent at Pi-
ney Point, and that the papers and the building
in which they remain are in the sole custody
of the messenger who was employed by the
Board.
Will you please, if in your power, to give the
public accurate information in regard to this
matter? From what has already transpired,
! it is evident that among the papers referred to
| there must be some, or at least that there are
likely to be some, for the possession of which
large sums would be paid, if they could not be
obtained in some other way. 1t is, therefore,
highly important that it should be known
whether the blame rests on the Commissioners,
or on the State Department, or on BOTH 1t is
to be hoped also that the President, whose duty
it is to see that the laws faithfully executed,
will look into this business. A. B.
CRIMINAL CoURT.-The witnesses examined
yesterday, in the case of United States us. John
Day, for the murder of his wife, were Mr. and
Mrs. Fridley, parents of the deceased, J. H.
Goddard, DR.. Robert X. Stone, and William A.
Boss. The testimony of the first two witnesses
related chiefly to the difficulties existing be-
tween the prisoner and the deceased, which
induced her, on several occasions, to go to her
fathers house, with the intention of remaining; ;
but she was induced to return by the entreaties
of Day. 1t was alleged that the ill-treatment
of Day towards his wife commenced within
week after their marriage.
Mrs. Fridley, on cross examination, testified
that Days temper was at some times harsher
than at others that previous to his marriage
he manifested the most ardent attention, love
and devotion to her daughter.
DR.. Stone visited the deceased shortly after
she had received the fatal wound. Her suffer-
ing was intense, but she manifested on unwil-
lingness to take anything, saying, "Oh God, let
me die" The wound in her left side had
caused death.
William A. Boss testified, that on hearing
that murder had been committed on Thirteenth
street. he Immediately went to the place. He
arrested the prisoner, and conveyed him to the
watch-house. Before reaching the watch-house,
witness took revolver from Day, which, at the
request of Capt. Goddard, was examined on
their arrival. Witness believes that when the
pistol was placed in his hands, four barrels were
loaded with powder and ball, and that two had
been discharged.
THIS MoRNING.-The courtroom was again
thronged, and the prisoner entered apparently
in good spirits.
James A. King was sworn. Day had said to
him on the evening of the 18th of May that he
was going to kill somebody that night. He &C
knowledged that he had been drinking knew
he would have to go to the penitentiary for it,
bnt some one had ruined his peace and happi-
ness, and he intended to kill them. Accompa-
MED Day to opposite Fridleys house; afterward
saw him at Fridley's gate talking with some la
dies soon after heard some one stamp on the
floor of Fridley's house; heard scream and the
report Of pistol; saw Day leave the direction
of Fridley's; had something in his hand; said
he would shoot whoever would follow. Witness
then ran in Fridley's saw the deceased lying on
the floor, her head on her mothers breast; soon
after saw Day near Mr.. Turner's, crying, &C.
Richard NJ. Downer sworn. Day had come
to his store on the same evening, at o'clock /;
said he intended to kill some one before morn
ing; said he had been drunk several days; that
he had been treated badly and did not care
about living. Witness had seen Day and wife
a day or two before the first of May
Henry Hoffman, James Summers, and George
I. Fridley also gave in their testimony. That
Of the former two was not very material The
essential part of the latter's was in accordance
with what had been testified by Mr.. and Mrs.
Fridley
PoLIcE.-Florence Dacy was this morning
brought before Justice Dom by officer Martin,
charged with having threatened to kill certain
Mrs. 0'Sulliyan, who was the friend of his
wife. Bound over to keep the peace.