Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-02-19

Al one Oh the SeSSlOilS OF the Le8lSia-
tive Commission for the investigation of
election frauds, in this place, last Satur-
day, L. A. Mclean (better known as
General Mclean, Chief Clerk under
John Calhoun in the Land Office, az
notorious from his connection with the
Border Ruffian Vars was examined as
a witness:
He testified that be knew nothing of
auy frauds committed either at the cleo
ton of December 81, or that of January
f. On being asked where the returns of
those elections were, he swore in a posi-
tive manner that they had been left by
Calhoun in his possession but that
about the 18th or 10Th ult, person I'M
known to him by name, but whom he be-
lieved to be resident of Platte City,
Missouri, called on him and represented
that he had been sent by Calhoun for
the returns; that he (McLean) deliver
ed them to the messenger who took them
away; that he had not seen them since,
but supposed them in Calhoun'S possess
ion.
This was believed to be lie, manu-
factdred out of whole cloth. The Com
missioners therefore made affidavit TO
ibis portion of his testimony, and to their
bsIef that the returns were still in or
near the Surveyor Generals Office con-
cealsd.
As Calhoun is absent from the Terri
cry, Ju dye Miller of the Probate Court
Immediately issued search warrant for
the returns and placed it in the hands of
Sheriff Sam Walker.
That gentleman, who is not often to
be caught mapping, had already set a
watch on McLean's movements and
knew the whereabouts of the returns
But there are fifteen or twenty clerks in
the land office, and they had stored for
ty loaded muskets in it with the evident
intention of resisting any attempt from
Free State sources to obtain the returns.
On Monday while the clerks were at
dinner, the caps rere quietly remored
from all the guns by an individual sent
by Walker. They did not discover the
TACT until too late to make the knowledge
of any practical value.
Yesterday, Sheriff Walker, with Il
posse of eight, called at the land office,
and presented the warrant. Mclean re-
ceived Walker very blandly.
You are at perfect liberty, Captain,
to search wherever you like. But you
will find nothing to reward your pains if
YOU search till dooms-day. As l stated
before the Commission, sent the returns
away several days ago"
Il guess that's mistake, General,
replied Walker, think the returns are
about these premises
Ha, ha," roared Mclean, relisbing
the joke, and rubbing his hands at the
absurdity of the thing. And wherea-
bouts"
" Under, that tcood-pHe," answered
Walker, looking him full in the eye.
Mclean turned pale as death. Hi
associates began to talk of resisting; but
soon discovered the condition Of their
guns, and subsidized. Mclean at last
gasped out:
" l forbid the search, until can cal
on lawyer to examine the writ"
Very we'll; call in your lawyer
was Walkers cool response. Blu
meanwhile, Just to sare time, I'll go OF
with the search. You know you car
prosecute afterwards if my action is no
legal. Boys pitch into that wood-pile.
And while Mclean was entering {
"solemn protest on the back of tn,
warrant, Walkers men opened the wood
pile, and near the center Of it found g
place where there was fresh dirt. Ate
digging eight or ten inches, they cam,
to box about foot square, bearing
McLean's name and labeled star can
dies.
They opened it and looked at the con
tents enough TO see that they were thu
returns in question. And then Mclean
mad the audacity to express surprise a
to how the box got there! He may fnc
out one of these days when he is tries
tor perjury
The box was brought in triumph Il
Lawrence and delivered to Judge Miller
lie held Court last evening. The re
'arns were opened sufficiently for Gov
Denver and Messrs. Deitzler and Bah
COCK to examine them. All these gen
uemen Unidentified them as the returns O
NE elections of Dec. q and Jan. 4
Which they had joined Calhoun in count
mo al his