The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-24
THE GARDINER CASE.
CRIMINAL COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.

~
The United States ps. George A. Gardiner. (ndict,
ed for false swearing, in order to Pr0cuao az
award from the late Mexican Board OF Commls,
sioners) Messrs. Philip X; FenoSn, Cn.eu
United states: and Messrs Joseph H. Bradley,
James M. Carlisle, and B. F. Perry, Of South
Carolina, for the defendant.
ELEVENTH Wednesday, March %.
The examinaton of Captain Edmund Barry was
By Mr. MAY. We understood you yesterday TO
say that you explored this country Of Lagunillas.
Were you attended by any one; and II 80, by
whom?
Ans. was attended BY practical engineer of
mines, named Thomas Mccormick. He was an
Irishman, and had been living in Mexico twenty.
eight years
Ques. Did he speak the Spanish tongue?
Ans He spoke the Spanish tongue perfectly.
CUES. Was he with you the whole of the time?
Ans. He was with me the whole Of the time.
Mr. CARBIDE. Can you swear to that?
Ans. His mother told me he came to the country
when be was two years Of age.
The CoURT. Do not speak of what was told you.
Speak of what you know.
Mr.. FENDALL. You found him there when you
got there; that is sufficient for US.
Ans. found MIN there. He was living in Que
retaIo and went with me from that place to La
guinilas. Iexplored the county of Laguinias on
horseback, and be was with me the whole OF the
time.
By Mr. May. Did anybody else attend your
Ans. Yes, there was man named Don Antonio
Trejo.
CUES. Was he person skilled in engineering, or
not?
Ans. He was the sworn SURVEYOR of the State of
Queretaro.
CUES. Did he accompany you all the time?
dns. He accompanied me all the time He left
me few days before the arrival of the commission
at San Luis Potosi. few days after the arrival
of the commission at Potosi discharged the whole
party. Both engineers continued with me until /
got back to the city of San Luis Potosi.
Mr.. BRADLEY. Had you any other person with
your
Ans. had servant or two.
By Mr.. MAY. Did you proceed with the COM
mission that went to the city of San Luis Potosi?
Ans. did.
Cues. Do you know whether Gardiner or any of
his companions had reached Laguinillas before
you left?
Ans. No, am very confident they had not.
Mr.. BRADLEY. Had you any knowledge of the
subject whether they were there not?
Ans. did not see them. E..
MIR. MAY. Did you not subsequently, see them !.
Ans. Yes, subsequently, saw two gentlemen,
friends of DIR. Gardiner.
Ques. That was on your second visit?
Ans. That was my second visit
CUES. What towns or villages in the district of
Lagunllas did you visit?
-4ns visited the village of Laguinillas (and,
after referring to memorandum which witness
said was made at the time,) Penijuan the hacien.
da de Buena Vista, which ia situated ne the
southwestern boundary, La Comunidad, and San
Augustin, which is near the northwestern boun-
Diary, not far from the stone spoke of yesterday.
Mr.. BRADLEY. Were those all the places you
visited?
Am. No, sir; visited the Puerto de la Cruz l
visited number of farm-houses ranches in fact
nearly every house in the whole country In La
Ruinillas there roads at all, only bride
paths; and whenever found bridle- path fol
lowed it out They generally led to rancao-a
By Mr.. MAY Did you pursue any general di-
rection in your explorations, did you traverse
the country in every direction
1ans explored it in every direction and in ev
cry part. do not think it is possible to find any
portion OF the country which | have not explored
personally.
CUES; Had you the means of determining the
vertical points?
Ans. Yes; had two compasses. Mr. Treio be-
ing practical engineer, carried large pocket
compass, and Mr.. Mccormick had smaller pocket
compass.
CUES. understand you to say you visited all the
houses and ranches through the country which
you could ind, in various drectons-north, south,
east, and west.
ans. Yes. :
Quss. Did you have intercourse with the people
in the country?
4Ans had the fullest intercourse with the people
OF all classes.
Cues. You cay you there eleven days. or,
including the day you left, twelve. Was the
or otl
Ana: Nearly the whole of the time was occupied
IN explorations A part of two days, out of the
CUES Is this the principal village in the town of
Laguinillas?
Oft
Cues. How far do you suppose Peniiuan is from
the northern boundary stone?
Ans. II Ia two or three leagues, suppose, from
the northern monument.
CUES Did you visit places around this district of
Lagunlllas in various directions?
Ans. did.
Ques. Outside of it?
Ana. Outside of it.
Ii Ques. To what distances, do you suppose?
Ans. On the northern, southern, and western
SIDES visited the country to the distance of twenty
five or thirty leagues around.
Ques Had you free intercourse with the people
In ali this region of country which you visited?
Ans Yes; through the entire region of country
through the whole district of Laguinillas and the
Rio Verde, and the States of Queretaro and Guiana
juata.
CUES. Do the States of Queretaro and Gpana;n.
alta join the State Of San Luis Potosi?
dns They do 30. A portion of the southern |
boundary of Laguinias ia also part of the southern
boundary of the State of San Luis Potosi.
CUES. Did you see any wheel-carriages in the |
county of Laguinilas!
Ans. No; it would be impossible for wheel-car |
riages to go into that county at al-at least it |
would be impossible to them.
CUES. Will you describe in your own way the |
character OF the country, the mountains and the
roads through the mountains, and the country in
all directions around the cou sty of Laguinillas.
taking the town of LaguiniIlas as a central point
Ans first entered Laguinilas by the way of
Alvercas.
CUES. Where is Alyercas?
Ans Alvercas ia in the department of Rio
Verde, in the State of San Luis Potosi, close by
the boundary of Laguinillas.
BY Mr.. FENDALL. How far from the city of
Rio Verde!
Ans. think it is about thirteen leagues The
road is 80 bad that it would be impossible for
wheel vehicle to go half the distance from Alver-
cas- to Rio Verde, On leaving the valley of the Rio
Verde we came to a very rugged, mountainous
country. In fact, found it impossible to ride and
1t was only with the greatest difficulty that led
up my pony. had a mountain pony, and nv
pack. mules, which carried only hundred weight
piece, had to travel very slowly, indeed. After
leaving Alvercas passed through a small muddy
valley, of about four or five hundred Yards IN
width, and should judge about mile in extent
l mired several times in getting across it.
Mr.. MAY. ] understand you crossed il?
dns. crossed it by the common path. Twas
going from Alvercas to Arroyo Seco | came to
an abrupt billy ascent-so precipitous that it was
almost impossible. ! ascended the hill and came
to what thought was plain; and mis- plain
found filled with rugged and almost impassable
eminences.
Cues Did this same kind of plain extend to
Arroyo Seco?
Ans 1t extended to within mile and a half of
Arroyo seco. After leaving Arroyo Seco the road
ia veYu m tain H..