The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-12
FENIANlsM In THIS CITY.

Exnmtnat lon or Colonel Roberts Before
Commissioners Betts-Tostimony Of Jas.
Gibbons, Patrick Cuns. w. l.. Cole,
and Patrick O'ROu ke-Refusal ~ wit.
nesses 20 Testify ~ 20 the Ainas and Oh
jects OF tho Ovgs nixastom. ON the Ground
that They Might Crfminsto Themselves,
&c., ks.
Tho equalization into tho charge preferred BY the
government sgans Colonel W. R. Roberta, Presdent Of
the Penan Brotherhood Of having boon concerned in
tho hitting out Of military expedition 70 Canada con-
irary 70 the Neutrality Iaws commenced yesterday
In tho United States COMMISSIONER once, before Com
missioner Belts who his scat on the bench exactly
1t eleven ociock Al that hor tho sca,s SGT apart for
deepest interest In tho proceedings - : -
Colonel Roberts, on making his appearance was loudly
chccrei By tho spe tators.
Courn United States District Attorney, and Mr. Ethan
Alien, assistant United States Distrc, Attorney and Mr..
Mr. Courtney said he would cali some Of the witnesses
some II whom had been served by copy, Others per
sonally lilo then called Patrick CUTE, James Gibbons,
Mr. Ri y, John Mahon, Patrick Gallagher clifford
Thompson, A b. Ncwcome, John N. Gallagher. William
L Colo aud Charles Carroll
Mr. Mckeon observed that he found tho complaint
against Colonel Roberts was founded on the affidavit OF
George wishart ! suppose no Is the nformer IN the
cae and want TO advertise him residing at No 800
East Houston street. He describes himself carpenter
and machini.i. suppose the District Attorney viii
allow him to be put on the stand.
Mr Courincy-I do not understand tho object OF nd
vert sing this man. The gentleman must have some
tive that do not understand have personal scquaint
with tho party who has given the Information
do not know him. II IL matter IN our discretion II We
put him on the stand II be comes into court we may
do 30
Mr.. McKeon-I am glad you have not tho pleasure OF
his acquaintance want TO find out who 70 instigatina
this prosecution the District Attorney does not know.
EXAMINATION OF Mr.. JANIS GIBBONS.
Tho Gnt witness called and examined by tho District
Attorney Mr. James Gibbons who testified ~ fol-
lows II reside In Philadelphia, and carry the print
In thai e.f hasa
Roberts, the defendant about two years. have been In
III city Of New York during the past week and have been
on and on here during the past three weeks
q Do you know any organization called the Fenian
Brotherhood
question any question that tends 70 crminaie your
wiiness-I decline to answer THAI question for the
Mr. Courtney-ny learned friend 10 right In hh state.
mont TO the Law, but cannot comprehend tho force
Of the objection. merely ask the witness question az
10 the existence Of the organization and that does not
Mr. ncKeoo-rhs witness must BE- Judge OF that
The Fcnan organization 10 well known In the United
States having for ne object the liberation of Ireland
and membcrs Of !, are charred - Mr. Roberts " With
kno~n that the witness 10 connected with H. and ~ the
question, therefore, s cseuassd 70 mpieais him OBJ
1hs Commissioner stated that the witness was 70 be
judge wheth his to the question might tend 70
degrade or srimnAts him. He thought the witness
The witness aid 10 muss, with I'll respect decline TO
answer no Sround that h doing would decidedly
tend ~ or inmate him
Mr.. Courtney vas Of opinion that the oours should
compel the witness IN He psomisrd Mr.. OBJ
boss that he should be for ansser be
might give on this trial
Mr.. ecKcon obser, Ell that, Notwithstanding that dec
srntion N advise the witness not 20 answer the
question, for there government behind MI Court
bsy which, pcss bly, might not approve Of Mr. courtrsys
promise
The wnness--f feel cspnot answer the question a.
am most decidedly or opin that my answer 70 u
would decidedly implcase me.
Mr. Gourtncy-I va vs the question for the present
reserving myself the right Of sking the court 70 com
pei the witness the question a. future stage
Of the
Examination Of Mr. Gibbons continued II know there
n an organization Of the renian Brotherhood IN New
York.
q where are its bcadqusrtersf
A. decline to answer that question
Commissioned think you ought 10 answer the
| question.
Mr. McReon-I object 20 the witness answering that
| a. u would tend Ia crimlnate him.
wncssf respectfully dcclins 10 answer that CUES.
ton, an u goes 20 crminaie me.
| q DO you know who 10 President Of the Fenlan or
ganzaton, during the past three weeks
1 Mr. McKeon-I object 70 that.
wncss-I object 70 that on the ground that
would tend 10 crqmnatc ms-ceary 20.
4 Commissioned sustain y objection.
i Mr. orrtney--On what groundf
Com mesioner--On the ground stated by the witness.
Mr. Courtney Submitted that the witness should riya
sai.tac.es. r.aSaas ~ As .essI .sE fssISg v s q.