The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-21
INC Dexter case nj mobile.

The Dexter Case at Mobile.
VIM. Dexter, Treasury Agent, was
some months ago, arrested and impri-
soned at Mobile, by military authority,
charged with defrauding the Govern
msnt to the amount Of two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. When
Judge Busted opened the United
States Circuit Court last fall at Mobile,
Dexter applied for writ Of kabsas cor
pas. with a view to getting out of the
clutches Of the military and being
tried by the civil authorities. Gen.
Wood declined 10 obey the mandate of
the Court, and as the Judge did not
have power 10 enforce it, he adjourned
the Court, aud sent to the President a
messenger with a record Of the pro
ceedings, and asking for instructions.
The military also asked for instruc-
lions, and the President ordered that
the prisoner be held for trial by mill
tary commission.
The Circuit Court, Judge Busteed,
met again the "a Of this month, and
the case was again taken up, 1t being
claimed that the Presidents proclama-
ton of that date restored the writ and
abrogsted martial law The writ was
granted, and Gen. Woods appeared in
Court with the prisoner but the Court
adjourned to the l4th, without dispos-
ing Of the subject
On the l4th, the case was again call
ed up, and Judge Busted, remarked
Ii will be remem ben ed that in the case Of
Dexter, the Court, on ats own motion, sd-
5aufued the proceedings until to-dsy. When
the lass writ OF habcas corpus was allowed,
General ", DDS, tho respondent made ioll
and due return 20 ID, and producing the
$3.50 ne ,..titioner. requested through
bIz council Mr. Worrali, the learned untt-
sH states District Attorney, an adjournment
.ftba hearing ia order that the respondent
might apply 20 his military superiors at
3 Washington for instructions 10 the pFemi-
ses 1 acceeded to the molten Tor an al
Iourument, and instructed the counsel lor
the respondent 20 te egraph the PRESIDENT
himself on the subject. When made this
order. FORGOT the fact that, according 10
military regulations, General Woods had
no riPht 10 communicate dieectly Wiih-the
President, and thst be must DO 80 througa
subordinate military chanuels- IN recol-
Iertiuy this rule OF discipline, and Ia view
.ftha oue.tions involved in this case, and
the ust5riety and public attention which u
had already challenged, / communicated
directly with the President myself by tele-
rrauh. on The Tth inst, and TIVE days SUE
se9uentIy received from him a telegram, de-
sirlug the proceedings "a THIS case 10 re
"A hafls ma mnH 1
shouid receive further dispatches rom MIN
on the beet, which dispatches was ad
vitcd would reach me on The lVth Instant
v.iteI untn the l2th OF April instant
when, not hearing from the President al
l0urued the proceedings IN TINS case q W
va nl0fa until the l4th instant ana 'eie-
rraphed the President an account OF my
h,Er.45r,-s bsve not received any COM
ttuui.stfon an answer, ffom the head OF me
environment. since tbs telegram OF tue YIN
instant. aud although reluetan@ 70 proceed
without hearing from my telegram O. me
18th inst, I do not think that LH'e nuy
rIrht 10 delsv the adjudication ol the 9ues-
80 51yolvci In The petition and writ.
Lawrence Worrall, Esq, the United
gtgf.. District Attorney, and counsel Tor
Gen Woods, the respondent then rose anu
said ,.--,r--,.
aud myself have seyeTally teeelN'u lils'l No-
,-s -, he Government IN respect %
al. rrss. and bv permission Of the Court 1
will read a telegram when eAme 10 me
officially last evening n....-,,-
w.surveroE, April l5, 1855.
r5bet-. S District Attorney and TO DE l. g. Mar
,rh. p-..;l.,,t b.s directed Msjor General
Woods. -numandiue az Mobile 10 turn over
t.ry.1 r. Il. A. Dexter. without waiting any
pr5caelinrs hy haboas corpus. lac iar'her
directs that iho Marshal ie eiNe aha take
luto custody the sid I. e. A. LoA'eI' eua
hold him % answer 70 any Nnn'sss NnA'
NAV be- ALLEGED against him ior ohenees
Heniutt tA. United states, until ne shall De
dIscharrei bv process Of law. lie diTec.s
that t6e District Attorney viii with dill-
rcuro cause proper legal preceding 20 be
instituted rgaiast the sala beA'et oelvIe
competent civil authority an ofo's lhA' ne
NAV De- brought 20 trial for such oiieuses.
You viii eS.b make report OF your action
40 an. Office. JANIS SrKEn,
Attorney General"
The District Attorney further stated tbss
Gcu. Wo5ds haa received Telegram Of hke
import
a. this stage of the proceedings Col Hun
ser Bra0kc, Provost Marshal 1euofst OF me
Department OF Alabama, addressed Maosh4l
aNr. Arar,hal-Acting FOR nnd In behalf
OF tuc Msfur General cofntaandlug the De
psrtmgut and under instructions received
from tue President Of tho United States, aud
cauyeyci bv the AdJutant General ot las
armies, hereby deliver unto your custody,
Thomas G. A. Dexter, nov present, AMI
MIIy withdraw an restraint aud control
over him % the military autboutes.'
The q s. Narshsl. Nr Hardy, address
rag che court fu.d I'll your Honor pleasos,
Do uot know how far ths Telegram OF the
Attorney General authorizes me, without a
warrant issued by sonic magistrate, 10 take
end hold Mr. Dexter. I respectfully request
advice aud Instruction. from your Houor IN
she premises
Judge Busieed-I hsvo no difficulty, Mr.
Marshal, iu determining that it De- year
ElEbt and duty. under the instructions from
tac Attorney General 60 take Mr. Dexter
fu.a guur custody. But 10 avoid any qUes-
tau upon the subiect, 7 hand you bench
variant iar she apprehension and detention
.f Ilgmas G.. A. Dexter, which yoa viii 60
once proceed 60 execute His Honor handeds
O.. The Marshal q warrsnt for the arrest %
Dexter " DO was immediately taken into
rlsaIy- Judge Bastccd then said, " this
VIII aud all he proceedings hereunder sre
unchanged"
Mr. Dexter thereupon applied for
release on bail. The application was
granted, bail being fixed 81 $1,000
Thus this conflict between the civil and
military authorities is az an end.
Commenting upon the conclusion Of
the matter, the Mobile Register says;
The long contest between the civil an { I
military power for Jurisdiction IN the case
%. Dexter, has final y Terminated IN q ,ardy
but none The less complete triumph OF the
iaTmer The public has watched he strug-
gle VITA a. Interest FAR beyond any person-
a. . mTa'hies Involved in il. The guilt or