The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-08-07
THE MINORITY REPORT ON TIL
CASE OF MR. DAVIS.


+. On Saturday, the 29th, Mr. Rogers, of New
JERSEY, from the minority of the judiciary
Committee of the House of Representatives,
made report on the case of Jefferson Davis
and the assassination plot. The Washington
Herald says:
"The report declares the charge of completely
made against MIR Davis not only absurd, but the
mere work of malice and avarice, and claims
that the testimony adduced chain of
Himsy fabrications And these assertions Mr.
Rogers bases upon the testimony of the accom-
p4icts Conover and Montgomery. Mr. Rogers
believes that the exposition of this plot SO in
validates 'aNy testimony coming through the
hands of Mr. Holt that it renders all belief III
the charges against Davis, Clay, Tucker ct dl
impossible.
The nature of this testimony is best shown
by extracts therefrom.
"AIay 8, l865-Campbell's testimony.-Tbe
testimony of this witness, taken by Judge Holt,
was read to him in the committee room, and he
was asked if it was true, and he replied no, it is
all false
"Nby did you make it?
Il was informed by Mr. Conover that Judge
Holt had offered a reward of 10000 for the
capture of Jefferson Davis that he had no au-
.hority really to do it that now that Jefferson
Davis was taken they had not enough against
him to justify Them in what they had done !;
that Judge Holt wanted to get witnesses to
prove that Davis interested ia the assassin
alton of President Lincoln, SO as to justify him
in paying the 100000" ="
Speaking of the woman that had testified in
Hollis Office to corroborate Conover, Campbell
says at this examination Sarah Douglass Is
not her real name. Her name was Dunham.-
There was another woman sworn Her name
given assumed. One Conover's wife
and the other his sster-in-law The one that
called herself Mrs. Duuham is Conovers wife.
Conover's name is Charles Durham. Conover
told me that if | engaged in it it was not going
to burt anybody, that Jeff Davis would never
be brought to trial. and that if this evidence got
to him he would leave the country. Conover
directed me to assume the name of Campbell.
There was a person described by that name who
was supposed to be implicated in that affair, and
was representing that party He met Como
yer, in the first place, by the appointment of
Snevel Snevel jssid | could make money out
oft. Money was my motive. received 500.
received 500 from Conover and $500 from
Judge Holt l got $3.50 at Boston and 500
at St. Adams. | went to Canada to hunt up-a
witness to swear false, who was to represent
Lamar. Socvel and Conover together arranged
with me to go to Canada. Snevel saw the writ
ten evidence [ Was to swear to after Conover
wrote it.
Nav q, 1SG6-Joseph Snevel sworn his
right name is " i.;iam II. Roberts. His depos-
ton before Holt read to him, and signed Joseph
Snevel, he stated, was false from beginning to
end. Conoger wrote out the evidence, and
learned it by heart. made it t. make money.
I received So frour Holt, and SlOU from Con-
over. told Conover that coming on
here to testify to the truth that l had not had
any rest since [ swore to what did. He said
would be in worse fix than was now. This
was on Fast Saturday. He said things would be-
settled and there would be no further trouble.
When the false evidence [ was to swear to was
read over to by Conover, Campbell and
Conovers brother-in-law (Alr Anscn) were pre-
sent. Conover told me he knew what Holt
would ask me- and Conover asked me the same
questions. | gave this evidence before Holt.
When | was wrong Conover would nod his head.
Conover was present wheE I was sworn by Holt.
When Conover would nod, | would then correct
it as near as | could Campbell, Conover and
Holt present. Campbell aud | rehearscd at the
hotel in Washington Couover said Il was
asked if such sum would be satisfactory? [
said it would [ can't tell how much | received.
Conover an agent Of the Government to |
hunt up evidence"
Conover has escaped, as already stated. MIR
Rogers was kept from seeing the evidence in
possession of the committee for selection and
arrangement, till II O'Clock on Friday, the
House adjourning on Saturday
Mr. Rogers closes his report by urging the
speedy trial Of Mr. Davis, aud agrees with the
majority of the committee in seeing no need of
additional legislation to try Davis for anything,
unless it be the design to try him by er post
tacto acts of Congress.
EFFECTS OF FANAfICIsM.