Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-11-02
Gov. SeymOur's Comm nissiOners in
Washington.

NEW YORK. Nov. 1.-The Tribune's Wash
ington special says: Gov. Seymour's COM
missioners called upon the President this
evening. They were courteously received,
but on the subject-matter of their mission
he referred them to Secretary Stanton, who
had all the evidence in the case. They then
proceeded to the War Office, and held long
interview with the Secretary, and report
that they were much more cOurteously re-
ceived and considered than they had expect
ed. 1t is understood that they desired that
the punishment of Ferry and Donahue
should be made as light as possible; but
their principal pressure upon the Secretary
is understood to have been in reference to
Col. North-Ferry and Donahue's fate be-
ing seemingly of secondary consideration.
The Secretary submitted to them such evil
dence as was before him, and it is said
somewhat staggered their hopes of an easy
escape of their friends by its extent and
clearness. He referred them to the military
court for further information, granted them
permits to visit the prisoners at Old Capt.
toi, and assured them of desire to vindi-
cate the most sacred rights of all the SOL
diers in the field.
Tonight the commissioners had con-
ference with Assistant Secretary Dana.
Col. Foster, Judge Advocate, Capt Ellis, of
the court, and sundry other gentlemen
were also present at the interview. Judge
Parker was the principal spokesman, and
urged, as a matter of policy, that the pris-
oners now in confinement here should be
released. He stated the great popularity
and high social position of Col. North in
the State of New York. He was an aid on
Gov. Seymour's staff and enjoyed the con-
fdence of men of all parties, who would
not believe him guilty, whatever evidence
might be adduced and only irritation and
strife, and possibly more serious disturb
ance, would be consequent on the trial.
The Judge pressed hard to know the evil
dence in the hands of the Judge Advocate,
but TO little purpose. He was shown sew
eral blanks sworn to and witnessed as hav-
ing been signed without any signature
having been inserted, which were seiz-
ed in Col. North's office, and Others,
similar to the ones seized at Baltimore.
He then made the point that the fact
that these were found in Col. North's
office would not convict him of knowledge
and participation in their execution. The
Judge Advocate is understood to have re-
piled that the fact of his guilt or innocence
was to be determined only by trial, and he
deemed it of great Importance to Col. North,
as well as to the Government, that it pro-
ceed Immediately. Judge Parker then
pressed to have the trial postponed till af-
ter the election, but he found the Judge
Advocate equally determined, and to-mor-
row the hour will be occupied with pre-
liminary examination of the documents
seized, of witnesses and evidence in their
possession. 1t is surmised that much proof
was destroyed, as they had thirty-siX hours
notice here before their arrest.
The commission will remain till trial or
definite action is taken.
1t is said the cases of Ferry and Dona-
hue, which were submitted to the Secreta-
ry of War, are much more severe than
hitherto conjectured, but the evident in
difference of the Commissioners as to the
fate of the Baltimore victims is in striking
contrast with their anxiety for Col. North.