The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-04-18

Je1erson Davis.
Especial Dlspa1sh - no n. Z. Esnes

Especial Dlspalsh - NO MI. Tsnses
WASHINGTON, April 10.
There is much speculation concerning JEFF
erson Davis, and as there have recently been
rumors Of process being commenced to re-
lease him from confinement without q trial,
it may be stated that the Secretary Of Wan in
a letter dated January 4th, says that Jeffer-
son Davis has not been arraigned upon an in
dictment or formal charge of crime, but has
been indicted for the crime Of high treason
by the Grand Jury of the Dictrict Of Colum-
bia, which indictment is now pending in the
Supreme Court of said district. He is also
charged with the crime of melting the assas-
sination of Abraham Lincoln, and with the
murder of Union prisoners by starvation,
and other barbarous and cruel treatment to-
ward them. The President deeming it ex-
pedient that Jefferson Davis should first be
put upon his trial before competent court
and jury, for the crime Of treason, he was adj
yised by the law officers of the Government
that the most proper place for such a trial
was in the State Of Virginia that State is
within the judicial circuit assigned to the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who
has held no Court there since the apprehen-
sion of Davis. and who declines for an indefi-
mite period to hold any Court there. The
matters above stated are, so far as | am in
formed, the reasons for holding JEFF. Davis in
confinement, and why he has not been put
upon his trial. The Attorney General of the
United States expressed himself against the
doctrine of constructive presence giving
The opinion that Jefferson Davis and others Of
the insurgents ought to be tried in some of
the States or districts in which they in person
respectively committed the crimes with which
they may be charged. None of the Justices
OF the Supreme Court have held Circuit
Courts IN these States and districts since ac-
tual hostilities ceased; and, he adds, when
the courts are open, and the laws can be
peacefully administered and enforced in these
States, whose people rebelled against the
Government; when thus peace shall have
come in fact and in law, The persons now held
in military custody as prisoners of war, and
who may not have been tried and convicted
for offences against the laws Of war, should
be transferred into the custody Of the civil
authorities of the proper districts, to be tried
Tor such high crimes and msdemeanors as
may be alleged against them. think that It
is the plain duty of the President to cause
criminal prosecutions to be instituted before
the proper tribunals, and, at the proper times.
against some of those who were mainly in.
strumentai In lnaugurating, and most con-
spiclous In conducting, the late hostilities
1t will be recollected that the President, in
his annual message, said that strong obiec-
hons had been urged to holding these courts
IN any of those States where the rebellion
has existed; and il was ascertained, by in
quiry, that the Circuit Court of the United
States would not be held in the District of
Virginia during the autumn or early winter,
nor until Congress should have an opportuni-
ty to consider an act on the whole subject
10 the deliberations of Congress, he added.
the restoration of this branch of the civil
authority was necessarily referred. with the
hope that early provision would be made for
the resumption Of all its functions. in order
that persons charged with the commission of
treason should have fair and impartial trials
In the highest civil tribunals of the country.
Congress hat not yet, however, passed any
act in accordance with this Recommendation to
remove the objections of Chief Justice Chase,
and here the matter rests for the present.
The Judiciary Committee of the House
has appointed subcommittee, consisting Of
Messrs. Boutwell,, Rogers and Wilson. to ex
anime the records in possession of the Blu
reau Of Military Justice, and other depart
ments of the Government, with reference TO
the alleged completely of jeff Davis in the
assassination plot