New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-04
MIR. JEFFERSON DAVIS.

HIS PETITION TO THE UNITED STATES CIRCUIT
COURT.
To The Honorable The Judges Of he Circuit court Of He
United states foy The District Of virginia;
The petition OF Jefferson Davis, by George Shea,
his attorney IN fact in tbs behalf, respectfully sho"c'h'
That he is and since the 18th day OF May, III 'he
wear 1863 has BEEN restrained of his liberty and held IN
close custody as prisoner Jail In that certain strong
place OF and belonging to the Government OF uWVeu
states called Fort Monroe within the said DISTRICT OF
Virginia; and that Brig.Gen. Henry 3 Burton ~ now
the Commander Of said Fort Monroe, ana az such NOUS
your petitioner Ia his custody
That no ground Of detention alleged TO tho knowledge
of your petitioner his said attorney in fact unless II he
a certain indictment presented against your petitioner
at the May of the above entitled court held in the
year 1866 of which copy is hereunto annexed lh"rA'u
A.
Your petitioner further shows that the said May term
was adjourned 10 meet at Richmond, on the 9Th day OF
June I'm the year last aforesaid That at said adjourned
term your petitioner appeared by his counsel ana urged
trial at said adjourned term, offering to proceed Win
delay but that the Government declined 10 proceed
said indictment. Your petitioner fmther SHOWS ua'
at the subsequent Of This Court your petitioner a
peared in like manner but the Government did not bring
on the trial
Your pettioner further shows that Lis imprisonment
aforesaid has greatly impaired his health, and that the
continuance thereof through The ensuing Summer would
involve serious danger 10 his life your petitioner he
Hcyes.
Your petitioner further that ample sureties for BIS
appearance to abide judgment said indictment can be
given if your petitioner shall he admitted TO bail
Your petitioner further shows that his detention, I'M
prsonmcnt and custody aforesaid always have been and
are exclusively under by color Of the authority OF Tie
United States and that he has TO aprrehend that
the Government may not proceed TO the trial upon said
indictment the next ensuing term of said Court which
is 20 be held in Richmond the first Monday of May
WhereupOn your petitioner prays that writ OF habcae
corpus may issue from this Honorable Court Ia be d
rected 10 Brig.Gen. Henry 5. Burton aforesaid and
whOmsoever may hold y0ur petitioner in custody com
mandng him them to have the body of petitioner
eorc the Circuit Court of the United States for the Dis
tct Of Virginia the 1t Monday Of May, 1867, at the
opening Of that day, at snc other time rs
in the said writ may he specified for the purpose Of in
Qurng into the cause Of the commitment ana detention
OF your petitioner and 10 do and abide such order as
this court may make in the premises
And your petitioner win ever pray.
JErFEH-oN DAVIS,
By GRO. sHrs, his Attorney In fact
Tnied Siqfes Of Aiserica, District ~ Columbia, ST.;
George Shea being Only sworn says that he is attorney
m fact for the petitioner in the preceding petition named;
that he is acquainted with the said petitioner and saw
him in CLOSE custody prisoner m Fort Monroe In
the month Of March last; that he this deponent has
general knowledge Of the facts IN the above petition
stated and that ey believes the said petition TO be
in al respects true. gro SHEA.
Subscribed and before me- this lst day OF May,
1851 al Alexandria, Va
john C. TNDERwooD, District Judge.
THE EFFORTS OF MRS. DAVIS.
fELzsRAPH TRIBUNE
FORTRESS MONROE, Va. May Mrs. Davis went
20 Washington last evening for the purpose OF comforting
with President johnson upon the release Of her husband