Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-14

We announced yesterday, the release Of Mr..
Jefferson Davis on bail. We add the particu-
lars, as furnished in the dispatches from Rich
mond. Afterthe announcement by the District
Attorney that it was not the intention OF the
Government to prosecute the trial OF the
prisoner at the present term Of the Court, bis
counsel Immediately made application for his
release on bail. After some conversation with
counsel on both sides, the application was not
objected, to and the bail fixed at 100000. by
the u. S. District Attorney. Judge Under
wood then said
The question is whether the offence is bail
able. 1t is a little remarkable that in the
midst of q gigantic civil war the Congress of
the United States changed the punishment of
an offence with death to fine and imprisonment.
But under the circumstance it was very honor
able to the Government OF the United States,
and exhibited its clemency and moderation.
This is a fact which relieves the present case
of every doubt as to its being bailable, and it
Is also, In my Judgment, emlnently proper that
the motion should be treated with favor, as
the defendant has been ready for a year to
submit his case to the courts of the country.
1T IS true the prisoner has not, until to-day,
been in the custody Of this Court. | think,
however, no person acquainted with the cir
cumstances OF the country would suppose the
fact reflected on the justice of the Government.
Conside ring the natural effect Of Il great war,
which lashed all elements Of society into fury,
1t was not to be expected The passions aud
prejudices aroused would be subdued 10 a nc
nlent, and it is in consequence otthe prevalence
OF this disturbance and tumult which have
been abroad in the community that the Gov
eminent has felt it could not safely proceed
with this case. After consultation with the
highest judicial officer, it WAS thought be1t to
omit the trial last fall, but fortunately We have
a more agreeable aspect at the present time.
We may now hope for restored confidence, and
that We may not again be disturbed by violence
and commotion. | think there are reasonable
assurances 10 the indications around US that
we are about to enter On a peace more perma
haps, to state the fact that this Court expects
to be in session all this week, and [ have re-
ceiyed a letter from Chief Justice Chase, inti-
mating his i~atention to come to this city if any
| important causes are likely to be tried. |
ought, perhaps, also to say, in justice to the
District Attorney, that he expected to dispose
OF this case during the present term. | believe
he was fully prepared Tor the final disposition
| Of il at this time, but, | have no doubt, grave
| considerations have induce the Government 10
take a different course. so, it seems, the re-
sponsibility Of the trial is with the Government
and not with the Court or the District Attor-
ney, and, no doubt, for good and proper rea-
sons. The Government cannot complain, since
| the delay is it's own. ] am glad the counsel
nave agreed ON the amount Of bail. IL meets
! with the appreciation Of the Court, which will
not c%ontine the %sureties to the district Of Vir-
ginia. 1t would, no doubt, be satisfactory it
about half Of the sureties be confined to the
State of Virginia. There is no objection to
having the remainder of the bail from other
portions Of the United States. would inquire
of the counsel Of the prisoner whether his
sureties are present to enter into rccognlZa nee
to-day.
Mr.. Connor-T They are all prepared.
Mr.. Davis during these proceedings exhibi-
sons in the crowd extended their hands to
congratulate him on the prospect OF his speedy
release.
The Court-The gentlemen proposing to o.
fer themselves will please come forward.
Mr.. O'Connor, addressing Horace Greeley,
who was seated next to Augustus Schell, invlt-
ed him to present himself before the Court.
Mr.. Greeley did SO.
District Attorney Chandler said there were
eighteen gentlemen who would qualify in the
sum Of S., 900 each, leaving two others to be-
come %sureties who would probably arrive this
evening. He was entirely satisfied with the
list Of names and the responsibility attached
to them. He asked the Court to take u recess.
Meanwhile introductions to Mr.. Davis and
handshaking continued, and there was now
much commotion all over the Courtroom.
District Attorney Chandler-Inasmuch as
eighteen gentlemen have offered, | make no
objections as to the insut1iciency of the number.
Mr.. O'Connor-We are waiting for The gen
tlemen, and while We are waiting twenty others
are willing to take their places.
The names Of the suretles were ~severally
called and they repaired to the Clerks desk
and signed the following paper:
1.-The condition of this recognizance is such
that if the said Jefferson Davis shall in proper
person well and truly appear at the Circuit
Court Of the United States for the District of
Virginia, to be held at Richmond, in the said
district, on the 4th Monday in November next,
on the opening of the Court on that day, and
then and there appear from day to day, and
stand to abide, and perform whatever shall Re
there and then ordered to be adjudged in re-
spect 10 him with said Court, and not depart
from the said Court without the leave Of the
said Court in that behalf first had and obtain
ed, then the said recognizanco to become void,
otherwise to remain in full force. Taken and
acknowledged this 18th day of May, 1867.
(Signed Jefferson Davis,
Horace Greeley, New York.
Augustus Schell, New York.
Aristides Welsh, Philadelphia.
David K. Jackenau, Philadelphia.
". H. Macfarland, Richmond.
Isaac Davenport, Richmond.
Abraham Wadwick, Richmond.
Gustavus A. Myers, Richmond.
Vim. 4. Crump, Richmond.
James Lyons, Richmond.
John A. Meredith, Richmond.
VIM. II. Lyons, Richmond.
John Minor Bolts, Virginia.
Thos. W. boswell, Virginia.
James Thomas, Jr., Virginia"
The name of Horace f. Clark, Of New York,
was added, he having sent a note for that pur-
nose.