New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-02
THE BILLING OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
EXAMINATION OF MR. GREELEY BEFORE THE HOUSE
. JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

EXAMINATION OF MR. GREELEY BEFORE THE HOUSE
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.
By
WAsHINGToN. July 1.-Mr. Greeley was in Wash
ington to-day, pursuant to summons from the
House Judiciary Committee. That Committee az
sembled at 10 o'clock a. m, all the members being
present except Mr.. Wilson, the Chairman. After
waiting two hours for stenographer, the examina-
ton proceeded:
Horace Grcelev sooY7, and examined by Mr.. BOuCel-
O. Have YOU at any time had a conversation or COM
munication with the President, or with any member
of the Cabinet in reference to the trial release of
jefferson Davs9 A. No, sir, not directly; l once
talked WITH or rather heard conversation with Mr..
Speed about the case but with other member OF
the Cabinet
O. When did that conversation take place' A. In
the Spring of 1866 do not recoect the date 1t was
the day before you tMr. BOUTWELL, offered resolu-
ton about the case of Jefferson Davis III the House
of Representatives.
O. Who else was present at that Conversations A.
Mr. George Shea was the only third person present;
he was counsel for Jefferson Davis. ..
Q. What was the nature of the conversation so FAR
as Mr. Speed took any part in it A. The object OF
Mr. Shea was to ascertain whether if an application
were made for ball. the Government would resist It,
Q. What news on that subject did MIR. Speed pre-
sent on that occasion7 A. None at all he was very
non committal; l could not make out anything from
his conversation; he did not know, or did not wish
to say, what the views of the Government were on
the subject at all / came away with no impression
about what he would do; he said nothing that lndi-
Gated whether he would or would not object.
Q. Did you ever have any communication with or
information from the President in reference to the
matterf A. None in the world.
O. Or with any other member of the Cabnetf "A.
No Sir: Mr. Speed is the only member of the Cabi-
net by whom remember having heard the name OF
J. Davis mentioned.
O. At the time of the release of Davis on bail in
Nav last, did You have any conversation with any
member of the Cabinet A. No, Sir; on my way 10
Richmond and back did not stop at Washington.
O. At the time you went to Richmond had you any
previous information as to what the policy ofthe
Government would be in reference to the releasing of
Mr. Davisi A. had none; had no information
until we came into court to what the Government
wOnld do did not know whether the Government
was going to resist the application for bail or not
BU Mr. Eldredge-Q. At whose suggestion or solicit
tation did Won become bail for Jefferson Davis3 A.
Mr. George Sheas he was a very old and intimate
acquaintance and friend of mine.
O. You had no communication with any Govern
ment officer soliciting you tOibecome bail for Jetter
son Davisf A. No. sir; nor any intimaton that it
would be desirable.
O. You had no communication on the subject with
the President or any of his officers' A. No, sir
O. Were you, after you came here or after you
went to Richmond, solicited by any officer of the
Government to go bail for Jefferson Davis A. No,
sir.
@. Was Mr. Shea present at the time you signed
the bondi A. Yes.
o. At Richmond A. Yes, sir.
O. Had you had any communication with Jeffer-
son Davis about going bail for himf A. No, sir; l
had never had any communication by letter word;
did not know him until / saw him in court.
@. Did any one after il was known that you pro-
posed to 90 bail for Mr. Davis apply 10 you not to do
80 OF write to you about it A. Well. Sir there was
hubbub about it at the time was here,and Senator
Wade and Senator Chandler talked with about it.
/ think Senator Cresswell Of Maryland was also pres
ent. do not recoect any other person.
Q. On what ground did they advise you not to go
bail for Jefferson Davisf A. There was CONVERSE
ton of half an hour between on the subject. l
cannot state definitely What particular reasons they
urged They thought it would be bad policy and
that it would have a bad influence.
@. That it would have a bad effect on the Repub
hcan partyi A. believe so; that was the impression
had.
@. Were there any other persons endeavoring TO
prevent your going bail for Jefferson Davis A.
do not recollect there may have been one or two
personal friends doing so, although il was not gem
orally known that intended to go bail.
Q. Did they put their objections on party grounds
alonei A. Generally.
@. There was no principle involved in it, A. do
not recOllect; they made no impression on me other
than that it would be injurious TO the party
O. Did you tell them that it party question to bail
Jefferson Davis he having been imprisoned SO long
A. No. Sir; in the first place was DESTROYS to bring
on the trial; the first year thought we could compel
the Government to bring the prisoner to trial by
writ of habeas corpus finally thought the time for
trial to any good purpose had passed
@. Did you go bail for Jefferson Davis with view
of never having him tried : A. No; wished 10 have
him tried if the Government should wish TO try
him.
O. understand you saying that you thought
the time for trying him to any good purpose had
passed awayi A. That was my Judgment.
O. Is that your opinion nOwi A. Yes, so far as
know the facts if he had anything to do with
sinating President Lincoln poisoning or starving
prisoners wish him to be tried; do not know any
facts that justify either charge
O. You know of no facts on the subject of his con-
nectOn with the assassination of President Lincoln
A. No Sir, none that would connect him with it.
MEXICO.