The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-04
MR. JEFFERSON DAYS.

HIS PETITION TO UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT
TO 1.e Honorable ate Judges Of H.e Circuit Court
The petition of Jefferson Davis, by George
Shea, his attorney in fact in this behalf, re-
That he is, and ever since the 10th day of May,
in the year 1866, has been restrained his liberty
and held in close custody as prisoner In jail
In that certain strong place OF and belonging TO
the Government of the United States called
Fort Monroe, within the said District of Vir-
ginia; and that Brigadier General Henry =.
Burton is now the Commander of said Fort
Monroe, and as such holds your petitioner in
his custody.
That no ground of detention is alleged to the
knowledge of your petitioner, or his said attor-
ney in fact, unless IL be certain indictment
presented against your petitioner, at the May
term of the above entitled court, held in the
year 1866, of which copy Is hereuntoannexed,
marked A.
Your petitioner further shows that the said
May term was adjourned to meet at Richmond,
on the 4th day OF June, in the year last afore-
said. That at said adjourned term your petit
toner appeared by his counsel, and urged a
trial at said adjourned term, offering 10 proceed
without delay; but that the Government de-
clined to proceed on said Indictment Your
petitioner further shows that at the subsequent
term of this Court, your petitioner appeared in
like manner; but the Government did not
bring on the trial.
Your petitioner further shows that his imprl-
sonment Aforesaid has greatly impaired his
health, and that the continuance thereof
through the ensuing summer would involve
serious danger to his life, as your petitioner
Your petitioner further says that ample sure
ties for his appearance to abide judgment on
said indictment can be given, II your petitioner
shall be admitted 10 bail.
Your petitioner further shows that his deten-
tion, imprisonment, and custody aforesaid,
always have been and are exclusively under or
by color of the authority of the United States,
and that he has reason to apprehend that the
Government may not proceed TO the trial upon
said indictment at the next ensuing term of
said Court, which is to be held in Richmond on
the first Monday of May, 1867. e.. It q. a. .
Whereupon your petitioner prays that writ
of habeas corpus may issue from the Honorable
Court, to be directed to Brigadier-General
Henry s. Burton aforesaid, and whomsoever
may hold your petitioner in custody, command
tioner before the Circuit Court of the United
States for the District OF Virginia, on the first
Monday of May, 1867, at the opening of the
Court on that day, or at such other time as in
the said writ may be specified, for the purpose
of inquiring into the cause OF the commitment
and detention of your petitioner, and to do and
abide such order as this Court may make in the
premises.
And your petitioner will ever pray.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
BY GEORGE SHEA, his Attorney in fact.
United States Of America, District Of Columbia,
SS:-George Shea, being duly sworn, says, that
he is attorney in fact for the petitioner in the
preceding petition named; that he is acquainted
with the said petitioner, and saw him in close
custody, as a prisoner, in Fort Monroe, In the
month Cf March last; that he this deponent,
above petition stated, and that he verify
believes the said petition to be in all respects
true. GEORGE SHEA.
Subscribed and sworn before me, this lst day
of May, 1867, at Alexandria. Va.
JOHN @. UNDERWOOD, District Judge