New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-13

Total
few other bonds were ascertained TO have been
purchased by Riggs L. Co.. bankers, Of Washington
City, for other parties and by other individuals which
are not included in the above statement.
The appear ance Of Mr.. Russell before the Committee
at an early stage Of our proceedings and before The
examination OF any witnesses your Committee deslR
mated two of their number, the Chairman and the
Hon. Mr.. Thomas, to consult with Robert Ould, esq,
United States Dstct-Atorney for the District OF Co
umbia in reference 10 the abstraction OF the bonds
and the legal questions connected herewith. That
officer advised that the testimony Of both Mr. Bailey
and Mr.. Russell should be taken. An important wit
ness Mr.. Jerome b. Simpson, who would be found in
NewYork, IL was expected conId not be obtained; he
bad acted in that city the confidential business agent
of Russell Majors a. Waddell, and knew, il WIS be-
eved all the details of their business transactions
with the Government and Of the abstraction OF the
bonds The most active and dihgent search for hun
proved unavailing. Az none Of his acquaintance
member to have him since about the day follow
ing Mr.. Russell arrest and no trace OF him has yet
been discovered it is evident that he absconded, or
concealed himself 10 avoid the responsibility OF his
acts and appearance before the Committee or the
Courts. In view of this circumstance and the advice
given by the Dietrct-Attorney, and under the belief
that unless full statement could be obtained from
some Immediately connected with the transaction,
satisfactory report could be made OF the facts In re-
lation to the said fraud required by the resou
ton of the House. it determined TO afford Mr.. Rus
cell an opportunity Of appearing before the COMMITTEE
Previous appearaDce had been decided 10 leavet
optional with hlnseu 10 hlhWer UT not hs ne mRDt
elect. This purpose will plainly appear from the fol-
lowing extract from the record Of the proceedings,
p. g83: Az, n, =, ,o.o
VIM. II. Russell sppeared.
The Charnan-ME Russell your counsel have doubtless APP
ped you OF your gh you under criminal prosecution
deem duty to state TO that the Committee do not
require you 10 questions you choose
Voluntarily TO do you can but you do not prefer do II
indicatedi TO you, you withhold your answer
Mr. RusseI anxious TO make full statement In Tesad TO
the bonds claim be honest and would prefer TO
make out statement Of the whole Transaction In writing aid
have you spread length record ak that favor
from The Committee. under criminal prosecution, and
nk Il due 10 that should be permitted TO make full state
nent although do not fear the result Of the criminal posecu
on IL Committee prefers the statement made verbally
win make In that way bu should like to make 1t In writing
Mr. Russell was here sworn, but after few questions
had been proposed he again expressed desire to sub
nit a written statement, and leave was accordingly
granted. On the 18th Of December he was again be-
fore the Committee, and presented statement which
will be found among the accompanying papers here
with submitted, prepared as he stated, by his attor-
rey the night after be asked permission Of the Commit
tee. Various interrogatOres We're proposed which
wer. promptly and fairly answered. But when asked
Did you ever directly indirectly give TO any per-
son any consideration, make TO any person any
present services rendered 70 you eonnnected with
youT business with the W1 DepsJtweptT NJ. kus-