The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-11-02

NEW YORK, Oct. 3l.-The Trlbune's
Washington. special says Governor Sey-
mour's commissioners called upon the Prs
sident this morning They were courteous
ly received, but on the subject matter of
their mission be 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 Mr..
Stanton, and reported that they were much
more cautiously received than they had
expected 1t is understood that they de-
sired that the punishment of Ferry and
Donohue should be made as light as possi
BILE, but their principal pressure upon the
Secretary is understood to have been in
reference to Colonel North, Ferry's and
Donohue's fate being seemingly of second
airy Importance a'.e.- -.o
The Secretary submitted to them such
evidence as was before him, which it is said
somewhat staggered their hopes of an easy
escape of their friends by it's extent and
clearness. He referred them to the mill
tarv court for further information, granted
them permits to visit the prisoners at the
Old Capitol, and assured them of a desire
to vindicate tho most sacred rights of all
the soldiers in the field. &c.
Tonight the three commissioners bad a
conference with Assistant Secretary Dana,
Colonel Foster, Judge Advocate, Captain
Ellis, Of the court, and sundry other geR>
tlemen were also present at the interview.
Judge Parker was the principal spokesman,
and urged, as a matter Of policy that the
prisoners now 10 confinement should be
released. He referred to the great popu
larity and high social position Of Colonel
North 10 the State of New York. He was
an aide on General Seymour's staff, and en-
loved the confidence of men of all parties,
who would not believe him guilty, what
ever evidence might be adduced, and only
irritation and strife, and possibly more Sc
rious disturbance would be the conse'
euence Of his trial. 49, s. ...... ..... ....
Judge Parker pressed hard to know the
evidence iii the hands Of the Judge Advo'
cate, but to little purpose. He was shown
several blanks sworn to and witnessed, as
having been signed without any authority
having been inserted, which were found in
Colonel Nortb's office. Others similar to
these were seized at Baltimore. He then
made the point that the fact that these
we're found in Colonel North's Office would
not convict him Of a knowledge and parti-
ciparion in their execution I85'tcf
The Judge Advocate is understood to
have replied that the fact Of his guilt or
innocence was 50 be determined only by
trial. and deemed it of great Importance to
Colonel North, IS we'll as to the Govern
ment, that the trial be proceeded with i'm.
mediately.
Judge Parker then pressed to have the
trial postponed till after the election, but
he found the Judge Advocate equally de-
termined, and to morrow the court will be
occupied with preliminary examination
of the documents siezed aud of the Wit
nesses and the evidence in their possession
1t was surmised that much proof was de.
destroyed, as they had thirty six honrs' no.
tice here before their arrest. - ~ .
The commission will remain here until q
trial or some other definite action is taken
1t is said the finding Of the court in the
cases of Ferry and Donohue is much more
severe. than hitherto conjectured; but the
! evident indifference Of the commissioners
as to the fate of the Baltimore victims il
in striking contrast with their anxiety fol
| Col. North. - = 357 ,ytIsA . 4.# r .