Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-02-20
REV. r. j. GRAVES.

The examination Of the case of Rev. r. j. Graves
was had in this place on. Wednesday last, before
the Hon. Matthias Z. Manly of the Supreme Court;
George V. Strong, Esq, appearing for the prosecu-
ton, and the Hon. Vim. \. Graham for the defend
ant The accused was bound over to the Confeder-
ate Court at Richmond to sknd trial on 4 charge of
treason.
Mr. Graves obtained passport at Richmond
about the last Of July, for the purpose of visiting
New York TO procure the services Of the celebrated
DIR. Green for operation on his throat, which
was very much diseased, and to after the well
fare of two orphan sisters who he feared might be
in 4 suffering condition. He left City Point in n
flag Of truce boat for IIarriSOn's Landing. On ar
irving at llarriSon's Landing he was placed under a
strong guard and treated as prisoner for two or
three days, and was subjected to long and minute
examination by the Federal Provost Marshal. Du-
ring this examination it is alleged that he commu
nlcated important Information to the enemy, and
upon this the charge Of treason is founded.
There was but one witness to support the charge
a captured soldier 10y the name Of Parker, who was
awaiting examination. He protested to have heard
only part Of what was said, it being uttered in
low tone OF voice, and he twelve fifteen feet dis
tant, ard was present only during portion of the
examination.
This examination of Mr.. Graves by the Provost
Marshal in McClellans canp7was long and rigid
and continued for perhaps an hour and half Tie
condition of our railroads was inquired into, whether
they were not wearing out, and whether iron was
not difficult to be Obtained what progress had been
made in the construction of the Piedmont railroad
and the object the government had in view when
favoring its construction; the condition of the
Richmond" an iTOn-clad boat in process of con-
structon at Richmond &C. The reply to these
questions by Mr.. Graves, stated by himself, was
that he did not know; all the information he had
respecting them was gathered from the newspapers
to which all parties had access. He presumed that
the roads were wearing away, as there was large
amount of business done on them lie presumed also
. that it was well known that one object the Confed-
crate government had in view in favoring the con-
structon Of the Piedmont railroad was to facilitate
transportation between Richmond and the South {;
but what progress was made in its construction he
did not know. The boat, Richmond, might be
ready to come down tomorrow or next day, or it
might be some time first; he did not know he
heard hammering, and supposed men were working
upon her, but of her condition he had knowledge
he only had glimpse Of portion of her through
q crack in. the enclosure as he was passing by. 1t
was alleged by the prosecuting officer, that his an
swcrs to these questions gave important irforma-
ton TO the enemy-giving him "ad and comfort "
1t left him to infer that railroads would soon
be worn out, when we might be reduced to extrem.
ity. But the point made by the prosecution was
in relation to the boat Richmond 1t was alledged
that the fear of her was equal to force of fifty
thousand men at Richmond. and that this restrain.
ing fear had been removed by The information given
by Mr.. Graves-the witness Parker having testified
that Mr.. Graves had said "she would not be ready
for some ime"-the statement of Mr.. Graves that
she might be down tomorrow or next day." not
having reached the car of The witness, or escaped
his memory. And this is the amount of the teSti.
mony, by which it is attempted to stigmatise as a
traitor, a gentleman WHO is believed by all who
know him. to be loyal to the South as any citizen
among u.s.
1t does not appear that Gen. Mcclellan was re,
leved from the fear of the Richmond, or the fifty
thousand men it represented, by anything that es.
capped from the examination of Mr.. Graves He
made no onward movement, except the abortive at
tempt at Drury's Bluff but FASTENED his departure
from the Peninsula with as much speed as though
assured that the Richmond would be down "to
morrow or next day." Mr. Graves not having given
him any information that could satisfy him to the
contrary.
We have been impressed with the idea that eUil
intent was required to constitute treason, as in
cases of murder. Every killing is not necessarily
case of murder; it must be with "malice pre-
pense; the intent of murder must be in the heart
| So We thought it to be in the case of treason. We