, 1865-04-04
TRIAL OE THE CHICAGO
CONSPIfk7T
Testimony~of Z. Q morrison-A Con:l-
dental Letter.
TESTIMONY OF L. G. MORRISON,

TESTIMONY OF L. c. MORRISON.
Judge Wilson examining Mr: Morrison
stated !: live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, bu'
spent two yeara in Chicago: know the hand
writing Of Christopher c. Strawn; recognize
this letter, (handed to witness By Judge vii
son,) to be In his handwriting.
Tie letter Was Offered In evidence, to which
the Judge Advocate objected. on the ground
Of immatesiality. Judge Wilson, In arguing
this point, read the letter, which Is as fol:
lows:
uEADQrAn1IHa NORTHERN DErAR1xEsr,
CINCINNATI, O., Jan i.
SIR: AS you perceive, I am in Cincinnati,
Chicago conspiracy cases. l an In q position
here to gain all the important Information
concerning the alleged conspiracy as II Is
daily developed as. also, all the details Of
the proceedings Of the Military Commission
now censening- The proceedings will, In all
probability, be kept secret so fur us In the
power OF the authorities 80 to do. The au-
thoritics have every cEnfldeuce IN me, and
nm thereby enabled to know more, perhaps,
Vi what Is going on than any one else. II
the 1imtg desires to engage my services a.
correspondent, will send written reports
every day, Of Whist traAspires In connection
with the tlia1s, In the shape of correspond
ence, the sentiments Of which will moi pro-
rent the publication thereof. am sure
can convey such information through this
channel as will be highly interesting to the
readers of the 1lu.ss. In thts behalf YOU Will
ste the editor Of the 1hnss, and submit my
ptoposltts to see what be will pay. ANY
lair compensation will bring valuabie infof-
nation: As the situation will be placed In.
In such an eyeut, will be somewhat precari-
ous, an ordinary compensation will not be
accepted. Let me know Immediately what
can be had for such correspondence. Of
course you are aware OF the necessity for per-
feet secrecy in regard to this proposition,
bothby yourself and the editor Of the Times.
CHRISTOPHER C. STRAwN.
The Judge Advocate explained that the
witness StIawn was not detective in the em-
ploy Of the Government that while waiting
as Witness, employment as Q c3ypist had
been given him In his (the J. A's.) office.
Judge Wilson replied that the letter was
posing the character Of the witness, aud i'm
pairing his cscdihllt1y, alluding very sarcas.l-
cally to his proposition to sell out the secrets
Of the Judge Advocates Department to the
Chicago 1s'lea, paper opposed to the ad-
minis tr1tioD.
The Commission ruled the letter out.
Judge Wilson then submitted an affidavit,
made By Mr. Walsh, applying Tor the ro-pro-
duction Of Mr.. Strawn as witness for the
defense. It represents that Strawn, after his
examination as witness Tor the Government,
and while under psy BY the Government,
wrote letter to Dr. I. Winslow aver, which
was received by Aver, stating that he had re-
ceived suit Of clothing according to agree
mcnt. and that be was receiving $l00 per
month from the Government, and 800 more
a m. nth for writing for the Government; that
he believed him still in the employ Of tho
Government ut large salary and th,t he
wrote The letter above given to Mr.. Parmley.
After delAbe1alion, the Commission r.
turned the affidavit to Judge Wilson, With in
3. ructtou to make the application for the
witnefs in the unusual manner.
f. Judge Wason-may be allowed to have
this application published in any Of the
papers Of The city. d.
Judge Adroxate-Do you mean to insult the
Commission!
Judge Wlson-No, sir; but I have learned
to 1esrect aud obey military authority, even
to taking my scot when am told 10; but
never, until yesterday-;auf,,ng ls pactise OF
Presidenf Of the Commission-1 was told to
d., 50 in much less time than that.