The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-07-03

and examined Hon. Horace Greeley
relative to the trial of Jefferson Davis
and his connection Herewith. The
following is full report of the evil
dence: a,-. s.
JUDICIARY CoMMrrTEE.
WAsHINdToN, D, G., July 1, 49, --
TESTIMONY OF HORACE GREELEY.
Hon. Horace Greeley Swo,n aud cram
med: ....
BY Mr.. BoUTwELL-Question
YOU at anY time had II conversation or
communication with the President or
| with any member of the Cabinet, in
reference to the trial or release of JEFF
ferson Davis7
Answer-No, sir; not directly. once
talked with, or rather had conversa-
ton with Mr.. Speed about the case but
with no other member of the Cabinet.
Question-When did that conversa-
tion take place?
Answer-In the spring of 1866. 1 do
not recollect the date. 1t was the day
before you, Mr.. Boutwell,, offered II
resolution about the case of Jefferson
| Davis In the House of Representatives.
Question-Who else was present at
the conversRtion2
Answer-Mr. George Shea was the
| only third person present. He was
counsel for Jefferson Davis.
QueStion-Whatw was the nature of the
conversation so far as Mr.. Speed took
any partinit?
Answer-The object of Mr.. Shea was
TO ascertain whether, If an application
were made for bail, the Government
would resist it.
Questiou-What view on that subject
| did Mr.. Speed present on that occasion
Answer-None at all; he was very
non.committal. l could not make out
anything from his conversation. He
al IT, fuh 70
what the views OF the Government were
| on the subject at all. L came away
with no impression about what he
would do. He said nothing that indI-
Gated whether he would or would not
object.
communication with or information
from the President in reference to the
matter?
Answer-None in the world.
|. Question-Orw with any other member
of the Cabinet7
Answer-No, sir. Mr.: Speed Is the
only member of the Cabinet by whom
remember having heard the name of
Jefferson Davis mentioned.
Question-At the time of the release
of Davis on bail In May last, did you
have any conversation with any men,
ber of the Cabinet?
AnsweT-No, sir. On my way to
Washington.
Question-At the time you went to
Richmond had you any previous infor-
nation as to what the policy of the
Government would be in reference to
the releasing of Mr.. DaVis2
Answer-I had none. I had no in
formation until we, came into court as
to what the Government would do. 1
did not know whether the Government
was going to resist the application for
bail or not. r-
By Mr.. ELDRIDGE = Question.-At
whose suggestion or solicitation did
you become bail for Jefferson Davis 2
Answer-Mr. George Shea's. He was
very old and intimate acquaintance
and friend OF mine.
Question-You had no communica-
tiOn with any Government officer So
liciting you to become bail for Jefferson
Davls7
Answer-No, sir; nor any intimation
that it would be desirable.
Question-You had no Commuuica-
ton on the subject with the President
or any of his officers?
Answer-No, sir.
Question-Were you, after you came
here, or after you went to Richmond,
solicited by any officer of the Govern
ment to go bail for jefferson Davis =?
Answer-No, sir.
Question-Was Mr.. Shea present at
the time you signed the bond at Rich
mondE
Answer-Yes, sir.
Queslion-Had you any communion
tion with Jefferson Davis about going
bail for him -------..----.-.-
Answer-No, sir. 1 never had any
communication by letter or word.
| did not know him until 1 saw him in
court.
Questionable any one after 1t was
known that you proposed to go bail for
! Mr.. Davis apply to you not to do 30, or
write to you about il?
Answer-Well, sir, there was a hub
| bub at the time was here, and Senator
| Wade. and Senator Chandler talked
\ with me about 1t. think Senator
Cresswell, OF Maryland, was also pres
ent. do not recolIect any other person.
Question-On what grounds did they
want you not to go bail for JEFF. Davis5
Answer-There was conversation of
haitian hour between us on the subject.
l cannot state definitely what particu-
lar reasons they urged. They thought
| II would be bad policy, and that 1t
would have a bad influence.
| Question-That it would have bad
effect on the Republican party?
AnsWer-I believe so; that was the
| impression had.
Questiou-Were there any other per-
sons endeavoring to prevent your going
! bail for Jefferson Davis? ~
Answer-I do not -recolleet. There
may have been one or two personal
| friends doing so, although 1t was not
generally known that1 intended to go
bail.
Questionable they put their objec-
ton on party grounds aloneG
Answer-Generally.
Question-There was no principle in
| volved in it7
Answer.1 do not recollect. They
made no impression on me, other than
| that 1t would be Injurious to the party.
| Questionable you tell them that 1t
| was not party question to bail Jeffer-
son Davis, he having been imprisoned
SO long? - yFfI
Answer-No, sir; in the first place
was desirous to bring on the trial. The
| first year l thought we could compel
the Government to bring the prisoner
to trial by a writ of hd6eGS corpus.
| Finally thought the time for trial to
any good purpose had passed.
| Questionable you go bail for Jetier-
son Davis with a view of never having
him tried Hrg.. i'-
| Answer-No. wished to have him
| tried If the Government should ever
! wish to try him.
Question: understand you as say
| ing that you thought the time for try
ing him to any good purpose had pass
ed away3
Question-Is that your opinion now 7
Answer-Yes, SO far as know the
facts. If he had any thing to do with as
sassinating President Lincoln, or pois-
| oning or starving prisoners, wish him
| to be tried. 1 do not know any facts
that justify either charge.
Question-Yon know OF no facts on