Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-08-08
'CASEO JEFF. DAVIS IN CONGRESS.
The Report on the Subject.

the judiciary, 10 whom was referred
the resolutions of the House of Rep
resentatives of April 9th and April
3Oth, 1866, instructing the committee
to inquire into the nature of the evil
dence duplicating Jefferson Davis and
others in the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln, and also whether any
legislation is necessary in order to
bring such persons to speedy and
impartial trial. if it should appear that
there was probable cause to believe
that said persons, or any of them, are
guilty OF melting, concerting or pro-
curing the assassination Of the late
President of the United States, and
also whether any legislation is neces-
sary in order to bring said persons to
speedy and impartial trial for the
crime of treason submitted report
to the House on the 2Sth. Thereport
is very long and contains a number of
letters and documents belonging to
the official records of the late Confed-
eracy, now in possession Of the War
Department, relating to what was
termed the "secret service" of the Con-
federaey.
With regard to the trial of Davis,
the committee are of the opinion that
there are no obstacles to a speedy and
impartial trial which can be removed
by legislation. The evidence in posses
sion of the committee connecting jeff.
Davis with the assassination Of Pres
ident Lincoln justifics the committee
in saying that there is probable cause
to believe that he was privy to the
measures which led to the commission
of the deed, but the Investigations
which have been made by the War
Department and by the committee
have not resulted in placing the gov-
ernment in possession of all the facts
lin the case. Holt could furnish sail
1.-THE facts" if he dare.-Ed. Repub. !
The committee are of the opinion that
a further investigation will result in a
f.H dvrOIvP.s.v"e Vf tifV iIviv UfauS-
action. The examination of the cap
tured rebel archives, though not com
plete, has gone far enough to thro n
| light upon the general policy of the reb-
eli authorities, which in many particu-
lars involved a total disregard of in
ternational law and of the usages of
civilized war.
The committee in this connection
give a detailed history of the course
pursued by the Confederate govern
ment towards slaves found in the ranks
of the Union army. Most of this is
taken from the published orders Of the
rebel War Department.
In summing up this part of the re-
port the committee says "The dec
Ilarations made, and the acts done in
pursuance of the declarations, are con-
elusive proofs OF the brutal and malig-
nant feelings by which the leaders OF
the rebellion were controlled, and rem
dered it not only possible, but probable
that they would at once engage in
projects for the destruction Of the
chief men of the republic" [The com
mittee think because they themselves
were troubled with "brutal and malig
nant feelings" that others were an
moved in the same way
A considerable portion of the report
| of the committee is devoted TO the evi
dence in the case of G. G. Clay, jr
Claws letter to President Johnson
dated November 23d, 1865, is quoted
wherein he denies having been in Can
ada at the time of the assassination
This the committee says is shown tC
be falsehood, according to evidence
before them. Clay, while in Canada
= acted under the following commission
RIcnuovp. Vs., April q, ls6l.--Ton. c. c
Clay, jr., &C., &c.-Sir Conhding special trust II
/, your zeal discretion and patriotism, hereby di
rect vou 10 proceed at once to Canada, there 4
carry out such instructions as you have receivei
from me verbally, in such manner as shall seen
most likely to conduce to the furthcranee Of tn
interest Of the Confederate States Of America
which have been entrusted to you.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
, The committee say it is well estab
a lished by letters and documents de
= rived from rebel sources that Clay
= under this commission, was instrumen
4 tai in organizing and executing, will
3 more or less success, the raids upol
the cities and towns along the border
I. the plans for the Introduction of pes
$ thence, tho organization of conspira
J. cies to libcrate the prisoners confined
!. in Camp Douglas, Chicago, to destro,
!. our commerce on the rivers, lake
n and ocean, and finally TO thwart an,
!: overthrow the government by Incl
ting a new rebellion in the North. |
= is also ascertained that jacob Thomp
in son, Beverly Tucker, George N. San
ders, W. G. Cleary, Bennett III. Younl
:. and II. J. Stewart were all omploye'
' in Canada as secret agents for Tn
4. Confederate authorities.
With reference TO tho testimony il
: possession of the bureau Of militar.
Y Justice, taken by Judge Holt, and Of