New-York tribune., 1867-06-24


PRESIDENT ISSUES srASBERys OPINION 10 TIN
DISTRICT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AT THE suaRArt
TRIAL-THg JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
TRlBrsH
WASHINGTON, Jane %, lss7.
The following circular of instructions has been is-
sued:
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUrANT- -GESERALs OffIcs)
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1857.
Whereas Several Commanders Of Military Districts,
created by thu cts of Congress, known as the Recon-
struction Acts have Expressed DOTS TO the propes
construction thereof and interpret some Of their powers
duties under said acts and have applied to the Ex
eeutive for information In relation thereto, and
Whereos The acts Congress have been referred
10 the Attorney for his opinion thereon and ta
said and the opinion OF the Attorney General have
fully and carefully considered by the President ~
with the heads of the respective Departments
the President accepts the following practical nters
pretaton Of aforesaid Of Congress the ponts
therein presented and directs the same to be transmitted
to the respective Military Commanders for their nformaS
ton In order that there may be uniformity in the exec
ton OF said acts lA.
Here follow the points Of the stanlery opinion si-
ready printed.l t-f D
Letters and teegTams have been received by tho
Union Congressional Executive Committee hero
from enough members Of Congress to insure q
quorum in July, so short Summer session is q
fixed fact. number of the letters received from
Republican members state that they will come on
condition thatsthe session shall not last over two
weeks or three weeks at the furtberest. They do
not wish to proceed with the regular business Of Cons
gress but merely to fix definitely the Reconstruction
Act so that President johnson and Mr. stanbey
will be prevented hereafter from giving any
more trouble and hindering reconstruction.
1t is evident also from the tone OF the other letters
received that an attempt will be made to have
Speaker Colfax announce the committees innedate-
ly so as to be able to go right to work This plan ID
favored by those anxious to Impeach the PreseIstj
and by Others who are opposed to Secretary McCnI-
lochs present financial policy, especially in respect
to the present system of National Banks. Those who
are in favor of long session say if once quorum ia
obtained the session will be kept up long enough to
tie definitely the question of impeachment
Very little that is was ELECTED in the trial o1
Surratt on Saturday. Most of the evidence taken
related to Payne's part in the conspiracy. Among
the witnesses examined was Frederick A. Seward,
Assistant Secretary of State IL will he remembered
that lie did not testify at the trial of the eonspra-
tors During the recital of the scenes that took place
at Mr. Stewards house when the attempt at assass"
nation was made the prisoner Surratt gave his
whole attention to the evidence, and
seemed anxious to know all. From appearances
the tale of horrible crime did not disturb the pris-
onels conscience in the least The counsel for the
prosecution are making strong case. Witnesses
will be brought to prove the guilt of Atzerodt Her.
rold and the other conspirators. Then it will be
proven that conspiracy exsted that its object was
the assassination of President Lincoln and othersj
and at the head and front of this conspiracy the
prisoner John H. Surratt. All the minor evidence
duplicating the other conspirators will be taken
within the next two days. When this is finished,
the prosecution will bring out evidence more start
ling than any that has vet been given. The scenes
in the Court on Saturday were rather dull. There
was scarcely any erossexamination by Suratts
counsel Mr. Merrick one Of Surra.t's counsel, has,
during or rne u1a1 w1rcn a1uufns ." s''0 '''-
mented President Lincoln, mentioned him merely az
Lincoln not even giving him the plain ana simple
title of Mr. Lincoln During the recess yesterday,
surratt talked and laughed with his brother and
several Others The prisoner seems to receive unusual
treatment at the jail; he is not ironed, but IL
| allowed the freedom of large room. In Court,
instead of being placed in the prisoners dock, be IL
given a scat with his counsel This is in marked
contrast with the manner in which the other con-
spirators were kept. During their trial they were
heavily handcufed with ball and chain attached 10
their ank and in prison they were chained TO tha
floor The jury attended church to-day IN body,
accompanied by officers of the Court. They are kepe
under guard at the Seaton House, and driven out
every evening in an omnibus for the good Of their
health.
The Judiciary Committee of the House will as
semble here on Tuesday for the purpose of finishing
their report on the impeachment investigation, and
making a report on the Maryland election case. Tho
latter matter has been in the hands of a subrcom-
mittee which will be ready to report at the meeting
of the regular Committee.
II is said that Gen. Rousseau is to be ordered to
Walrussia as he returns from his rp TO Bos-
ton with the President. Gen. Grant was asked to
accompany the President the Boston tour but de-
cined ostensby on account of press of business IL
being necessary to have the army represented, Gens
Rousseau and Gordon Granger went along Il
uniform scale of progression for charging post"
age. having half an ounce the unit throughout,
has been extended to the correspondence exchanged,
in the British mails via st. Thomas, and via Panama
between the United States and the West Indies, and
countries on the west coast of South America In
future therefore the postage upon all letters ex.
changed through the British mails, whether via
St Thomas or via Panama, will advance by o single
rate for each halfounce or fraction thereof instead
of charging heretofore two rates for every onncs
or fraction of an ounce, when the letter package
exceeded one ounce in weight .hs
The President has recognized Arnold Marqnese a.
Consul General of Peru in New York, Jacob Lerb az
Consular Agent of France at Wilmington, N. {, and
Frederick Chastanet Consular Agent OF France as
Savannah, Ga.
Milton Kelly. United Stated District Judge Of Ida
no. has arrived here to appear before the Attorney
General for the purpose of refuting certain charges
preferred against him by the Legislature Of ldahos
and the Hon. E. d. Holbrook, delegate from the Ter
ritory. Mr. HolbroOk is also here to prosecute tho
charges which il is understood are in regard TO tho
competency of the Judge. As both parties nave
come amply provided with bundles of documentary
evidence the trial promises to be long aud noty con-
tested.