Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-11-02
'8p GdegrapB,
Afternoon Report.
interview Of Gov. seymour's Com
missioners with the President ant
Secretary Of War.

4 missioners with, the President and
i Secretary Of War.
/ NEW YoRK, Oct. 8l.-ATribune's Wash.
ington special says: ,.... ..,.
i Gov. Seymoufb commissioners called
4 upon the President this morning. They
were courteousIy received but on the sub,
ject 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 q long interview
i with the Secretary, and reported that they
were much more courteously received and
considered than they had expected,
/ Il is understood they desired that the
punishment Of Ferry and Donahue should
be made as light as possible, but their
principle pressure upon the Secretary 10
understood to have been in reference 70
Col. North, Ferry and Donahue's fate being
seemingly Of secondary character.
The Secretary submitted 10 them such
evidence as was before him, and It is said
somewhat staggered their hopes Of an easy
escape of their friends, by its extent and
oleaEness. he referred them to the Military
Court for further information, and granted
them permits 70 visit the prisoners at the
Old Capitol, and assured them of desire
70 Vindicate the most sacred rights of all
the soldiers In the field.
Tonight the three Commissioners had o
conference with Assistant Secretary Dana.
Col. Foster, judges Advocate, Capt. Ellis of
the Court, and sundry other gentlemen
were also presentAt the interview. Judge
Parker was the principal Spokesman, and
urged as matter Of policy that the priso-
oners now In confinement should he re-
leased. He stated the great popularity
and high social position Of Col. North in
the State of New York; he was an Aid on
Gen. Seymour's stan, and enjoyed the con-
fidenoe 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 disturbances
would be consequent on trial.
The Judge pressed hard to know the
evidence in 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 issued which were found In
Col. North's office. Others similar to these
ones, were seized at Baltimore. he then
were found in Col. North's office would
not convict him Of q knowledge and par.
ticipadon In their execution.
The Judge Advocate Is understood to
have replied, that the fact Of his guilt or
innocence was TO be determined only by
trial, and deemed It of great Importance 70
Col. North, As we'll as to the Government,
that It proceeded Immediately.
Judge Parker then pressed to have the
trial postponed till after the election, but
he found the Judge Advocate equally de-
teHmined, and tomorrow the Court will
be occupied with preliminary eIamina.
ton Of the documents seized, of witnesses
and evidence in their possession.
1t is surmised that much proof was de-
stroyed, as they had thirty-s six hours mo-
tice here before their arrest.
The Commissioners will remain till
trial or definite action is taken.
It Is said that the finding ofthe Court in
the cases of Ferry and Donahue is much
more severe than hitherto conjeetured, but
the evident indifference of the Commits
sipners as 70 the Baltimore victims is in
striking contrast with their anxiety for
Col. North. a. -