Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-01-19
Jefferson Davis.
MESSAGE FROM THE PREsIDENT-WnY HE IS
my motto.

MESSAGE FROM THE PREsIDENT--WHY HE IS
NOT TRIED-cHARGEs ON WHICH HE IS HELD.
WASHINGTON, Jan, 10.-The President
to-day transmitted to the Senate, message
in reply to the resolution, calling upon him
to inform that body upon what charges JEFF
ferson Davis is confined, and why he is not
brought to trial The President encloses re-
ports from the Secretary Of War and the At
torney General, and at the same time invites
the attention Of the Senate to that portion of
his annual message which refers to Congress
the question, connected with the holding of
Circuit Courts of the United States, within
the districts where their authority has been
interrupted.
WAR DEPARTMENT, jan, 4, 1866.
SIR-In the annexed Senate resolution,
passed December Dist, 1865, referred to me
by you for report, | have the honor to state,
First, that Jefferson Davis was captured by
United States troops, in the State of Geor-
gia, on or about the 10th day of May, 1865,
and by order of this Department, has been,
and now is confined in Fortress Monroe, to
abide such action as may be taken by the
Government.
Second-That he has not been arraigned
upon any indictment or formal charge Of
crime, but has been indicted for the crime Of
high treason by the Grand jury Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, which indictment is now
pending in the Supreme Court of said Dis
trict He is also charged with the crime of
melting the assassination of Abraham Linz
coin, and with the murder Of Union prison
ers of war by starvation, and other barbar-
Gus and cruel treatment towards them.
Third-The President, deeming it expedi-
ent that Jefferson Davis should first be put
upon his trial before a competent court and
jury for the crime Of treason, he was adyis-
ed by the law officer Of the Government that
the most proper place for such trial was in
the State of Virginia. That State is within
the judicial circuit assigned to the Chief JUS
tiee Of the Supreme Court, who has held lio'
court there since the apprehension of Davis,
and who declines, for an indefinite period, to
hold any court there. The matters above
stated are, 50 far as I am informed, the rea-
sons for holding Jefferson Davis in confne-
ment, and why. he has not been put upon
trial.
Fourth-Beside Jefferson Davis, the fol-
lowing persons, who acted as officers of the
Rebel Government, are imprisoned, to wit:
Clement G. Clay, at Fortress Monroe, charg-
ed, among other things, with treason, with
completely in the murder Of Mr.. Lincoln,
and with organizing bands of pirates, rob-
bers and murderers in Canada, to burn the
cities, and ravage the commerce and coasts
of loyal States on the British frontier; D.
L. Yulee, at Fort Pulaski, charged with
treason while holding seat in the Senate of
the United States, and with plotting to cap
ture the forts and arsenals Of the United
States, and with melting war and rebellion
against the Government; S. r. Mallory, at
Fort Lafayette, charged with treason, and
with organizing and setting on foot piratical
expeditions against the United States COM
merce and marine on the high seas. Other
officers of the so-called Confederate Govern
ment, arrested and imprisoned, have been re-
leased on parole to abide the action of the
Government in reference to their prosecution
and trial for alleged offences, on their appli-
cations for amnesty and pardon. Among
these are G. A. Trenholm Secretary of the
Treasury; John A. Campbell, Assistant Sec
rotary Of War; James A. Seldom, Secreta-
ry Of War; John H. Reagan, Postmaster
General; r. NJ. I. Hunter, Senator; Alex
ander H. Stephens, Vice President, and sun
dry other persons Of less note
EDWIN NJ STANTON,
Secretary-of War