Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-08-25

ident is so newhst annoyed at the fact that
certain persons have been accepting money
for their influence in obtaining pardons. He
stated to-day that be wished the fact known
that he Investigated each case and only grant
ed such petition as recommended themselves
TO his olemency. Some Of those present
asked permission to call again for further
consideration, to which he significantly re-.
Piled, II would be sometime before any more
purdons would be granted
The Herald's Fortress Monroe correspond
ent says indications show that speedily the
forth coming trial Of jeff Davis may be ex-
pected here. Additional restrictions have
been put upon admission TO the Fort. Joe
Johnston while at Fortress Monroe was ask
ed If he would like to see jeff Davis. He
replied " do not wish to see him or hear his
name mentioned even"
Two hundred paymasters will be discharg-
ed from the navy the present week. All sea-
men in the Mississippi Department having
less than two years to serve will be immedi-
ately discharged. The entire naval force will
be reduced to 10000.
The Tribunes Washington dispatch says
Up to date $4,000 applications for pardons
have been received, but it is stated that the
President has only as yet signed but one
hundred.
The Times disT atch says the officers who
receive the designations at Washington have
no knowledge of the resignation of Gen Benz.
+. Butler.
The Herald's Nashville correspondent states
that the town Of Stevenson, Ala, was burned
on the 18th inst. Nothing remaining but
the depot, telegraph and express office.
WAsHrNeroN, Aug. n.
Capt. Henry Werz was arraigned to-day
before military commission, charged with
maliciously, wilfully and traitorously com
bining, collaborating and conspirng with
Robert +. Lee, James H. Seldom, Northrup
and others, to injure the health and destroy
the lives Of Union soldiers in rebel southern
prisons, and also with murder in violation Of
the laws and customs Of war. The specifca-
tons allege most cruel practices, such as
starvation purposely, the vaccination Of sol
diers with impure matter, the furnishing OF
rotton food, and the employment of blood
hounds.
After the reading OF the charges and spe-
cifcations against Werz to-day, Col. Chip
man. Judge Advocate, asked what answer the
prisoner had TO make. Judge Hughes as
one Of his counsel, who are Messrs. Hughes,
Denver, Peck and Schoode, asked time to
prepare his defense, which was overrued by
the court. Judge Hughes, in order, as he
said, to facilitate proceedings, fled several
pleas LIST, denying the jurisdiction of the
court to try the prisoner, II having no author
iiy to do so by statute or we'll established
usage %, that this case is not brought be-
fore it by competent authority 3d. that the
prisoner is not naturalged citizen, and was
never in the land or naval service OF the
-. IL Il A j.
the civil war having ceased there is no au-
tbority to punish him.
The prisoner protests that he ought not 10
be tried, but discharged from custody. He
also claims that lust before the time Of his
arrest at Andersonville, Capt. Noyes, on du-
ty near that place, applied to him for infor-
nation, which he cheerfuly communicated
to him, and he accompanied Capt. Noyes to
Gen. Wilson's quarters, the former promising
him safe conduct, and giving him assurance
that he should not be arrested. The prison
err relied on the good faith OF Capt. Noyes,
but, Notwithstanding the above repeated ass
uronces, the prisoner was seized held in con-
fuement, and brought to Washington.
The prisoner further protests that he ought
not to be held any longer for the reason, as
set forth at length, that he came within the
son and Gen. Sherman. The defendant also
asks the Court to quash the several charges
and specifications, because each and eveIy one
is uncertain and indefinite as to the time and
ofense, and the allegations are so vague and
indefinite that he ought not to be tried upon
them, and, further, that they do not charge
him with any offense punished by the lvws OF
wat. .t.r hr.
The Court adjourned until tomorrow.
WASHINGTON, Aug. %.
The motion to quash the chargeslaads peci-
fcatiohs against Wer,z, made by the defend
ants counsel, was argued, principally by
Judge Hughes, who contended that they were
too general and uncertain and that the offen-
ces charged were cognizable by civil and not
military courts. The Commission overrued
the motion and the prisoner then pleaded
" not guilty" to the charge against him.
Col. Chapman, the Judge Advocate, to-day
suggested that the prisoner be remanded to
the Old Capitol prison and that the Court
now adjourn. In this the Court, without a
formal vote, acquiesced. Judge Hughes
wished to know to what time the Court had
adjourned.
Col. Chapman replied that he would notify
the counsel of the reassembling Of the Court,
and then requested the witnesse in attend
ance to give information ~ to where they re-
sided, and instructed them not 10 leave the
city. eanui nss
Judge Hughes said he wanted to be- heard.
Col. Chapman replied that under the parlia-
mentary law there could be no debate.
Major Gen. Wallace said % The court stand
adjourned consequently there can be no ar
gument." dsd q l al
Judge Hughes said ' The prisoner hav-
ing been arraiRned, we enter our protest
against the breaking up Of the Court or an
indefinite adjournment, We ask for the dis
charge Of the prisoner or that the Court pro-
coed with his trial"
Major General Wallace repeated that the
Court had adjourned. During this colloquy
the prisoner was removed from the Court
Room by the military guard
The adjournment without day having
been assigned for the reassembling OF the court
took the counsel and spectators by surprise.
No reason is as yet known for this course,
though there is suspicion that the charge
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