The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-01
Trial and Conviction of Judge
Humphreys for Treason.

Humphreys for Treason.
The Senate resolved itself into High
Court of Impeachment for the trial Of
Judge Humphreys.
The Senators took their places on the
platform on either side of the President
pro tenn.
The House being notified, came over
in body, and took seats on the floor of
the Senate.
The return of the Sergeant alarms of
the Senate to the summons issued for
West II. Humphreys, showing that he
(Humphreys) could not be found, was
read.
The Sergeant alarms then made
proclamation calling on West H. Hum
phreys to answer to the charge made by
the House.
No answer being made, the President
pro TEN. stated that the Managers on the
part of the House, were at liberty to pro-
ceed in support of the impeachment made
by the House.
The names of the witnesses subpenaed
were then called by the Secretary of the
Senate.
II Andrew johnson not answering, he
Twas, OH motion Of Mr.. Bingham, for the
Managers on the part Of the House, ex-
,cused from Obeying the summons, on the
ground that duties of a public character
rendered it impossible for him to attend.
Most of the witnesses having answered d
to their names,
Mr.. Train, on the part of the Mana
gers of the House, opened the case, an
alyzing the articles Of impeachment, and
briefly stating what he intended to
prove against the defendant
Mr. Bingham on the part of the Managers,
offered in evidence, first, the Message of
Franklin Pierce, of March "a, 1853, NOM
mating West II. Humphreys for Judge Of
the District Court of the United States
for the Eastern and Middle Districts Of
Tennessee; second, the journal of the
Senate confirming that nomination; third,
an authenticated copy Of the commission
issued by the President TO West H.
Humphreys.
Jacob McGavock was called as a wit
ness and examined by Mr.. Bingham, and
testified as follows: Resided in Nash
Vile; was Clerk of the District Court of
the United States until some time in
October, 1861, when there was Court
established there styled the District
Court of the Confederate States, over
which West IL. Humphreys presided as
Judge, and in May or June, 1861, he
(MoGayock) was sworn in as Clerk of that
Court; Humphreys directed him TO take
an oath to support the Confederate States;
the records of this Confederate Court
were taken away by the Receiver about
two days after the fall of Fort QOnelsOn
Witness produced note from Judge
Humphreys, received about four DAYS
after the fall of Fort Donclson, directing
him to carry the records TO MurfreesborO.
Mr.. Benham (Rep., Ohio)-Put the
note in evidence.
Witness further testified that he had
not seen Humphreys since tlst time, ami
did not know his whereabouts
The records Of the Confederate Court
were produced, showing that Humphreys
ordered the change of cases TO the Con-
federate Court, and money involved in
suits Of non residents to be turned over
TO the use of the Confederate States
Isaac Litton was next sworn, and tes-
titled as follows Lived in Nashville;
was Deputy Clerk Of the Confederate
Court under Humphreys judgments
were entered in the trial docket Of the Con-
federate Court ia Humphreys own hand
writing on suits against non-residents
under the sequestration act for the use
Of the Confederate States there were
also suits of a criminal character, brought
against citizens of the United States for
treason against the Confederate Govern
ment.
Mr.. Salisbury suggested TO The mana
gers that the trial would be much pro-
longed, and il they proved that Hum
phreys had held a court Of the Confede-
rate States, that would be abundant
evidence for impeachment. lie would
be willing to vote for impeachment ON
that ground,
The witness further testified that some
Of these persons who were brought into
court for treason against the Confederate
States gave bonds, while others took the
oath of allegiance or enlisted in the
Confederate service; the conditions Civ
en- 10 some Of them by Humphreys was
that they might 60 free, If they would
enlist in the Confederate army; those
who refused 20 take the oath of alleg-
ance or enlist were remandod 10 jail;
their only offence was adbering TO the
United Stades; some of these persons
were brought into court by soldiers of
the Confederate army, some Of them ON
the order Of Humphreys Humphreys
had gone South; witness had not seen
him since February.
John Hugh smith sworn--Was a law
yer; resided in Nashville; knew Hume
phuys he had held no u. IS. Court Since