The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-12
The Case Of Jefferson Davis-Opinion OF the
Attorney.GeneraI and Report of the Secretary

The President, Wednesday,, to
the Senate a message in reply 10 a resolution
calling upon him 10 inform that body upon
what charges Jefferson Davis is confined, ana
why he is not brought TO trial. The President
e~ncloses reports from the secretary OF war
and the Attorney-G General, and at the same
time invites the attention OF the Senate 10 thal
portion of his annual message which refers 10
Congress the question connected with the
| holding of Circuit Courts of the United states
within the districts where their authority has
been interrupted.
The following is the report of the Secretary
of War
WAR DEPARTMENT, January /, 1866.
Sir,-To the annexed Senate resolution,
passed December 2lst, 1865, referred TO me BY
you for report, l have the honor 10 state:
First. That Jefferson Davis was captured
by the United States troops in the State OF
Georgia on or about the 10th day of May, 1868,
and by order of this Department has been, ana
now is, confined at Fortress Monroe, TO await
such action as may be taken by the proper
authorities of the United States Government.
Second. That he has not been arralgned
upon any indictment or formal charge OF crime,
but has been indicted for the crime OF hlgh
treason by the Grand Jury OF the District oil
Columbia, which indictment is now pending
in the Supreme Court of said District. lie is
also charged with the crime OF melting the
assassination of Abraham Lincoln, ana the
murder of Union prisoners OF war, ana olhel
barbarous and cruel treatment towards tIcnl.
Il i It u INlt AAN'AAAAhS
that Jefferson Davis should be put upon ms
trial before q competent court and jury lot the
crime of treason, he was advised by the law
officer of the Government that the proper
place for such trial was in the State OF VT
ginia. That State is within the Judiclal circuit
assigned to the Chief Justice OF the supreme
Court, whs has held no court there since the
apprehension of Davis, and VINO declines iof
an indefinite period 10 hold any court there.
The matters above stated are, so far as l am
informed. the reasons for holding JEFFERSON
Davis in confinement, and why he mas not
been tried.
Fourth. Beside Jefferson Davis, the ioilow,
ing persons, who acted as officers OF the reoei
Government, are imprisoned, 10 Wit: element
G.. Clay, ut Fortress Monroe, c...rged, among
other things, with completely IN the assasslna.
ton of Mr.. Lincoln, and with organizing
bands of pirates, robbers and muroerers III
Canada, to burn the cities and rayage the COM
merce and coast of loyal States on the BRUSH
frontier; ID. l.. Yulee, 1T Fort PULASKI, charged
with treason while holding n seat In the senate
of the United States, and with plotting 10 cap
ture the forts and arsenals of the United States,
and with melting war and rebellion against
the Government; S. r.. Mallory, at Fort La
fayette, charged with treason and with organ
;zing and setting on foot piratical expeditions
aoainst the United States m and ma
r;ne an the high seas. Other officers of the So
% iied Confederate Government, arrested and
;nnnrisoned. have been released on parole, TO
abide the action of the Government In refer.
ence tn their prosecution and trial Tor alleged
offences, on their applications Tor amnesty ana
pardon. W
Among these are G.. A. Trenholm, secretary
of the Treasury; John A. Campbell Assis'al'