Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-12
ARREST OF PaEsIDENT ROBERTS.
How Itwas Done and What FOIIoweG.
From the New York Times, sth inst.l

From the New York Times, Sth inst.l
Yesterday morning Mr.. Luther Horton,
one Of the Deputy United States Marshals,
proceeded 10 the headquarters of the Roberts
Sweeney Fenians, and arrested Mr.. w. Il.
Robert, President of the Fenian Brother
hood-or at least Of one faction of it. A
warrant for his apprehension was issued on
Wednesday afternoon, by United States
Commissioner Belts, but was not served
sooner, owing to the fact that Mr.. Roberts
was not at his headquarters that evening.
When made aware of the nature of Mr.. Hor-
tons business yesterday, he quietly accom-
panied that officer to the Office Cf the District
Attorney No attempt at resistance was
made by either Mr.. Roberts or his friends,
although there were many about headquar-'
tiers at the time Shortly after eleven o'clock
Mr.. Ethan Allen, Acting District Attorney,
and Mr.. Roberts entered the office of Com
missioner Belts, for the purpose of fixing a
dav for the examination of the case. Mr..
Allen informed the Commissioner OF the ar
rest of Mr.. Roberts, and said that, as lie
seemed to desire 4 speedy examination, he
would suggest that an early day be fixed,
and that meantime Mr.. Roberts be requested
10 find bail in the sum of $4,000 for his ap-
pearance TO answer any Indictment which
might be found against him by the Grand
| Jury, and in the further sum of $4,000 to
! keep the peace. He thought Mr.. Roberts
| had contributed 10 the disturbance of the
| peace between two nations, and that he was
! as liable to be bound over to keep the peace
as if il were an affair between individuals.
! Mr. Commissioner Betts-I do not see
| that have the power 10 ask bail to keep
! the peace in such a case.
Mr. Roberts am anxious for a speedy
| trial in this matter, but | cannot give bonds
to keep the peace.
Commissioner Betts-In my present view
! Of the law do not see that | cas- ask 1t.
Mr.. Roberts should like to know,
whether if give bail for this charge ! am
liable to be re-arrested.
Commissioner Betts-Certainly you are.
Ex-RecOrder Smith suggested that he
could not be arrested again for the same
act. 1t would have to be a different act.
Mr.. Roberts-Do ! understand that to
| mean that to be re-arrested, | must make
war against some other nation than Eng
land?
Commissioner Betts-No; any act done
against England subsequent to this act, aS
this is a continuing oflense any continuance
of the acts on which the complaint was
made, would be a sufficient foundation for {
new warrant.
Mr. Roberts-Then decline to give bail
1t would be giving the marshal trouble tC
no purpose. | have bail here, and my
reason for declining before was, that l un
darstpod the rule to be as your Honor hai
laid Il down. | certainly woulu not Sif'
bonds TO keep the peace to restrain me iron
/ II
which feel it my duty as an lrlshman L
proceed with. | have persons here wh'
would be my bail.
A Mr.. Cuff, rather excitedly, offered to g
bail for Mr.. Roberts in $4,000.
Mr. Allen do not understand the Cour
, to decide definitely on the question OF bond
10 keen the peace. | am aware that MI
Roberts has bail at hand, and | suggest tha
the matter be left open until Monday, ]
, case Mr.. Roberts should change his min'
I Mr.. Roberts wishes a speedy trial. as
, | that Won fix Monday next for the prelimin.
e | ~ examination.
I The Commissioner then remanded Nj
Roberts to the custody Of the Marshal AZ
pointing Monday next, at II A. NJ, for IL
) | preliminary examination.
Mr.. Roberts-You can do with me as yo
r please. do not think that any indigni
which the United States Government c.
2 put upon me can equal the outrage 1t n
= perpetrated upon our soldiers, by keepir
e them confined upon rotten and filthy sco'
e boats, under the guns of the revenue-cutt
/. lTchigan. You have your duty TO periorI
: and must do il your own way.
e The Marshal subsequently offered to
lease Mr.. Roberts if be would give his 7
o role to appear on Monday, and not 'ransa
O any business connected with Fenlanls
= meantime. This he refused TO do, seeml
d rather solicitous of the honor of being loc
te ed up. He was finally conducted to apa
ct ments in the Astor House, where he was to
e. to consider himself as within prison ee
| Mr.. Roberts, it is well known, is busln
n, man Of this city, of good position and Ia
ct sense Of honor, and it is not deemed nee
ne gary TO restrain him of his liberty to seer
is ais presence in Court. He will be allow
as TO do anything he may desire, except co
~ duct Fenian operations.