The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-07-19
The Inpeachment-Greeley Before the
Judiciary Committee.

House Judiciary Committee, on Monday,
the LIST inst, relative to the trial of JEFF.
Davis, and kindred topics. A Washington
special to the Chicago Times gives the fol
lowing statement of his testimony:
| Hon. Horace Greeley sworn and examin-
| ed by Mr.. Boutwell,
| Question -Have you, at any time, had a
conversation or communication with the
| president, OF with any member of the cab
met, in reference to the trial or release of
| Jefferson Davis? Answer-No, sir, not
directly. l once talked with-er, rather,
heard conversation Within. Speed
about the case, but with no other member
OF the cabinet.
.Q.--When did that conversation take
place Ant the spring Of 1856. | do
not recollect the date. 1t was the day be-
fore you (Mr. Boutwell, offered a resolution
| about the case Of Jefferson Davis in the
house of representatives,. 1910. $500.
Q.-What was the nature of the CONVEX
sation, SO far .as. Dir. Speed took any part
in it? A-The object of Mr.. Speed was
to ascertain whether, il al application were
made for bail, the government woeia re-
sist it.
! Q.-What views Oh that subject did Mr.
| Speed present on that occasion? A
None at all. He was very noneommittal,
and [ could not make out anything from
his conversation He did not know or did
not wish to say what the views of the gov
eminent were on this subject at all | came
away with no impression about what he
would do. He said nothing that would In :
dictate whether he would or would not, OBJ
ject. sg ,...s 5r .f..srsl geI RI.
Odd you ever have any conversation
with or information from the president in
reference to the matter? A.-None in the
world. 4 ..r
Or with any other member of the
cabinet? A.-No, sir. Mr.. Speed is the
only member of the cabinet by whom re-
member having heard the name Of. JeHer.
son Davis mentioned. t.,-... 80
Q.-At the time of the release of Davis
on bail, in May last, did you have any con-
versation with any member of the cabinet ?
A.-No, sir. On my way to Richmond
and back | did not stop at Washington.
Q.--At the time you went to Richmond
had you any previous information as to
what the policy Of the government would
be in reference to the releasing of Dir. Da-
Wis? Al had none. | had no informa-
ton, until we came into court, as to what
| luO SO'ciuiHeHt HUulu uD. L ulu HOI hUOW
whether the government was going to re-
sist the application for bail or not
By Mr.. Eldredge Q.-At whose sug-
for Jefferson Davis? AIR. George
Shea's lie was a very old and intimate
acquaintance and friend of mine.
Q.-You had no communication with
any government officer soliciting you to be-
come bail for Jefferson Davis?, A.-No,
sir; nor any intimation that it would be de-
sirable. #t .-a- .a..4eg
Q.-You had no communication ON the
subject with the president, or any of his
officers? A.-No, sir. III $50 b..
! Q.-Was Mr.. Shea present at the time
you signed the bond at Richmond ? A.
Yes, sir aga
Q.-ITad you any communication with
jefferson Davis about going bail for him ?
A.-No, sir, had never had any commu-
nieation, by letter or word. [ did not
know him until | saw him in court. o.
Odd any. one, after it was known
that you proposed to go bail for Mr.. Da-
| Wis, apply to you not to do so, or write to
you about it? A.-Well sir, there was a
| hub-bub at the time / was here, and sena-
tor Wade and senator Chandler talked with
me about it. [ think, senator Cresswell, of
Maryland, was also present. l do not rec
ollect of any other person. .. a.
Q.-On what ground did you so bail for
Jefferson Davis? A.-There was con-
versation of half an hour between us en.the
subject. | cannot state definitely what
particular reasons they urged They
thought it would be bad policy and that it
would have bad influence. .te4
Q.-That it would have bad effect on
the republican party? Al believe so !;
that was the impression [ had.
Q.-Were there any other persons en-
deavoring to prevent you going bail for
Jefferson Davis? Al do not recollect;
there may have been one or two personal
friends doing so, although it was not gener-
ally known that intended to go bail
Odd they put their objections on
party grounds alone? A-GeneralIy.
Q.-There was no principle involved in
it? Al do not recollcet. They made
no impression on me other than it would
be injurious to the party. =, Is, l.,e II,
Odd you tell them that it was par
ty question to bail Jefferson Davis, he hav-
ing 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 a writ of habeas
corpus. finally thought the time fora
trial to any good purpose had passed. a
Odd you bail Jefferson Davis with a
view of never having him tried7 A. No;
| wished to have him tried if the govern
ment should ever wish to try him. -. r.
OIL understand you as saying that you
thought that the time for trying him to any
good purpose had passed away +? A.-That
was my Judgment.
Q.-Is that your opinion now? A
Yes, so far as | know the facts. If he had
anything to do with assassinating president
Lincoln, or poisoning or starving prisoners,
L wish him to be tried. | do not know of
any facts to justify either charge
Q.-Iou know of no facts on the sub
ject of his connection with the assassina-
ton of president Lincoln? A-No, sir,
none that would connect him with it.
Il A. II