Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-10-26

The United States VS. Johnson. Sutton, and
Hennage.

| we nave given full report of the testimonJ
| for the Government, in this interesting and
| important ease, leading one amongst the
| numerous cases in this city aud Baltimore o.
| parties recently arrested on charge of supply
| ing goods to the rebels. In order TO present q
| full showing of the case, which presents many
new points. and will doubtless be q matter o
reference in the futule, we present oelow the
evidence for defense in detail:
I Ihe defence las commenced by Calling
| HtHTy n. Thompson, who fes he'd that No was
acquainted vita Dir. Johnson but not with
the ether parties. HAS been acquainted with
Mr. Johnson about year, aud has had a room
ut his honee daring that time, during which
witness has know him we'll.
BY the Judge Adyocate-Do not know his re o.
utatlon outside OF the city Of Washington. Have
LIT ver heard people generally expressing opin
1oI about JOhnsOn's character, AS witness
does not come mnch III contact with people
Fy the accu,ed.-Q. Do you Know whether
he is rrputea loyal or not In the city A.
Know nothing 10 the contrary. Z. Have You
ever itaTd him speak on the snblect of the
Government, so that you have means o. iuds-
ing whether he is loyal or not by con versations
with him?
he Judge Advocate Objected on the ground
that eVldepce as to specific acts (and conv-r-
s'itions were practically that) WAS not proof
OF e. neral reputation and was not competent
testimony.
q State what the general charact er of Mr..
johnson is.
Some OBJ cion raised by the Judge Adyo.
cate.
TIE conrt was cleared, and after the doors
were re.epened thu decision OF the court was
announced MS follows:
The court rules tnat until the witness tas-
tifies that he knows the general character Of the
accused the question cannot be pat
BY the accused u Have you ever heard
any hing against the character OF Mr.. John.
sen
Objected 10 by the Judge Advocate
u Have yon ever heard anything against
the Loyalty of Nj. johnson
This was also objected TO by he Jndga ad-
vocate, ane both objections we're sustained
Witness then stated he was a clerk 10 the
Treasury Department
H,Chdet j. O'ShdughncSSg witness on the
part Of the defence. was sworn, aud testified
that be knew Mr.. johnson, and that he (Rit.
ness had charge Of one OF the divisions OF tue
Treasnr.r's office fas known Mr. Johnson
about year. Has room at mis- mouse, aud
meets him occasionally through the day Don
know his standing III Washington, aad does
not know many who know MIN.
CGpt. lie GTUnd BENEDICT, witness on the
part OF the defence, testified He was en-
plCyeG in the AdJutanL Generals office: knew
Mr.. johnson since last January; did not Know
nat his position or standing was III the city
OF ashingIun
Samuel E. Douglass, a witness on the part of
the defence, t-stIrisd He had been cesident
OF W shiugtoD city for the last forty years,
win the exception OF two or three years; am
well acquainted with Mr.. johnson IL sutton,
and have been between fifteen and twenty
years; thiLk know them in imately v; they ma We
lived in my part OF the city for um oer of
years until very recently; think L have mans
of knowing what their character is ia We uever
heard 1t ques toned: 1t Is good: never heard 1t
questioned until this difficulty occurred: do
not know that / have any extra means of
knowing their reputation for loyalty; do not
think have heard il made the sunject OF COM
m, mt; Eever heard their oyaI,y or dIslo, ally
quesioDed; am Register OF the city; Will ma ye
occupied that place four years next July; was
not appointed nv the Administration, out was
electt by the people,
Gross examined oy the Judge Advocate:-I
Think my reputation tor loyalty mas never peau
questioned; never heard 1t guestioned; | ran
Eere on he unconditional Union icket; AMI
Eink / have expressed myself pretty freely
on the subject whenever had an opportunity;
1 do not know OF persons questioning my 10y
atty.
John II. johnson, witness for defense tesu-
fed follows: have lived IN the District of
Columbia all my lifetime, ami IN Washington
city tor the last 81 years; WAS IN the grocery
business for nine OF ten years; since that time
l have studied law, and AN now a mem oer of
The bar and acting Justice of The peace, having
received my appointment from Mr.. Lincoln
] know Mr. johnson and Sutton both; have
known Mr.. johnson between lS and L. wears;
/ knew him when he was cleI TO Mr. White
The dry goods dealer in Pennsyivanla ayeud
l am acquainted with Mr.. Sutton about II
years. Ny acquaintance with Mr.. Hennage Is
nominal; have known him OT wears. l
think l have the means OF knowing the repu-
tation and standing OF Messrs. Johnson & SUIT
ton in the city OF Washington. pr-dic ate my
belief, as to their honesty and fair de .ling, on
the fact thai i have had Intercourse with
them and have dt alt with them tor the last lu
years.
The Judge Advocate:-Asa a lawyer, do you
think that is general knowledge!
Witness Then, l should, from the respect.
ability of the business which they did. and by
the respectabinty OF the persons patrouiL.ng
them.
BY the accusPd:-Q In addition to that, do
you know " hat people In the city say OF them!
A. Yes; / do not think that any nacessty ex,
isted for passing encomiums on these men, hut
/ have never heard any person douot their
honesty. Il. DO you know what Pc tple in the
city have said As to the character and reputa-
iicn Of these parties! A. Yes. sir; | do @
Sleaking from this means of knowledge, what
is the general character of these parties for
integrity and honesty! A. Good, sir; good.
q. Have You the same means OF knowing their
reputation for ioyaity As you nave for wing
OF the predictions of Mr.. johnson, as 10 lov-
atty, from casual con versarions which 1 nave
had with HIM
The Judge Advocate objected to evidence OF
q. Haveyou heard others speak OF his 10y.
ally! A. He is not reputed TO ne disioSal, IN
thus city.
The Judge Advocate.-Is tnat an answsrl
Witness-I have not heard paopie say he
was oisIoyal. q. Have you heard people say
he was 10y HI! A. He has expressed his 10y atty
70 ME.
The Judge Advocate.-I ask the Court to
direct the witness to answer the questions put
him
The question was then repeated
A. do not recollect.
Cross-exanined by the Judge Advocate
q. How long have you been a lawyer! A
Between three and four years. u. How long
did YOU study before that! a. Tarss years
was admitted after finished my course. o.
When did you commence studying law!
Objected to, and question Withdrawn
q. Have you ever heard anybody speak in
reference to these persons general character
other tnan the tirn themselves! A. nave
heard persons say that they were very falr
men in their business. u. Whom did you hear
say that7 A. do not recoilect. lis Impossible
to Iecoilect Q. When was itl A Itmay nave
been WITHIN tine last three, or four, or Ave, or
eight, or ten years, think. Z. Gan you recoiect
any one instance! 4! A. Icannot. L. Have you
ever heard any person say any tnmg 400 1t taeir
10y atty or disloyalty : A. l do not recotiect
that I have. L have not heard their loyalty
impugBed OF their disioyaity denounced u.
You bave never heard anything either wayl
A Neither pro nor con. u. Are you related TO
Thomas w. johnson A. In no way what
I Il VO1nnt4