Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-22
THE RELEASE.
Appearance of Jefferson Davis In
Judge Ulderwood's Court
Room at Richmond.

We take the following from the New
York Worlds Richmond correspond
ence:
While Mr. OConnor and Mr.. Evarts
are engaged in whispered conversa-
ton, little stir in the direction of the
private entrance, to the left of the Judge,
brings attention to the arrival of Gen.
Burton; closely followed by gaunt and
feeble looking man, wearing soft black
hat, and clad in a sober black mixed
suit, leaning heavily upon stout print
tive cane, and glancing nowhere save to-
ward his counsel Having seated them
selves in the remotest corner from OBJ
servation, and environed by the news.
paper writer's and the artists for the IL
lustrated papers, they are Joined by
United States Marshal Duncan and Bur
ton II. Harrison, the former private sec
retary of his Presidency. Instantly
the whole congregation rises upon its
feet, and from the tops of tables, chairs,
and whatever else offers a temporary
lookout, there is directed prolonged
scrutiny of Davis. The minutest details
attaching to his worn but striking per-
sonnet are the theme of observation au-
dble on all sides and eargerly INDUCED
in by people who evidently revered
their chief, however they may have seen
the evil of way that led to " lost
cause" Every ejaculation and remark
was brimning with sympathy and ten
derly solicitous for the well-being of the
prisoner If Davis heard them he gave
no sign, but sat unmoved and motionless
awaiting the end. At this juncture
Judge Underwood is heard to say:
THE Court is honored by the attend
ance of so many of the nations brave
defenders this morning that it will there
fore dispense with the customary rou-
tine. We are now prepared to hear
from Gen. Burton"
Hereupon the General moved precip'
itately forward, evidently intending to
make up in soldierly promptitude, what
he lacked in knowledge of the formalitleS
of jurisprudence. Having stood in front
of the Judges desk, he beckoned Mr.
Davis to follow, which the latter with
difficulty accomplished, by reason of the
hand pressing and whispers of encour
agement that met him at every step. The
few succeeding minutes were occupieiin
reading the writ by Charles O'Connor,
and examination of the return indorsed
thereon by the District Attorney.
Having satisfied the legal mind that
Mr.. Davis was no longer held by the
military, Judge Underwood intimated,
after q fulsome laudation of General
Burton, that the marshal should serve
the writ issued under the indictment
found at Norfolk. The whole assemblage
was here as silent as the grave, earnestly
intent upon noting the transition OF Mr..
Davis from a captive of the military to
arrest under the ordinary process of the
law. A bare moment sufficed. With the
instrument huttering in his hand, Mar
shall Duncan stepped forward, and bow
ing courteously, handed the writ to Mr..
Davis, who, in turn, passed 1t to his
counsel, Mr.. 0'Connor.
And now, ::amid the hush, came the
announcement that there would be no
trial. The Government was not ready.
To the general relief manifested upon
the couutenances of all around, there
succeeded the new and absorbing anx-
iety to know how the question of custody
was to end. To most who conferred
with Judge Underwood yesterday, the
idea was prominent that Libby Prison
had then been designated, with no com
mon unction, by the Judge, as a just
place of consignment for the prisoner.
Many knew that at a later hour last
evening some sort of an understanding
had been entered into between the cOuH-
sci, Of which Underwood was informed,
bat the vehemenee with which the latter
had previously designated the dungeon
for Davis confinement could not be
easily eifaced, and the liveliest fears
were entertained for the result The re-
suit has marked how far the stamina OF
the man had been -overrated. Meantime,
Mr.. 0'ConnOr, by various eloquent and
hattering circnmlocutions, was arriving
gradually at the main point, the accept
ance Of bail and release Of the prisoner
When that proposition had fairly been
made. and Mr.. Chandler had risen 10 a
rambling reply, it only required mo.
ments hearing TO determine that bail
bond would be no bone Of contention be-
tween counsel, however It might fare with
the Judge. As the proposition, as ae'
oBiessed in By the prosecution, slowly
proceeded TO revolve itself, aud the lead
ine feature. 100000, with sureties, from
the district Of Virginia as vel as those
offered from New York, came 70 be
knoEn and realised By the multitude, an
impatience and longing 10 see the iibera-
ton began to be manifested that nearly
drowned the words Of the pleaders, and