Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-05-08
H1r. jefferson sDeyi.-aals Pe.itIon

NM. jefferson Davis-His Petition
10 the u. .. CircUlit Court.
To the Honorable the Judges of the Circuit
Court of the Untted States for the District of
Virginia: 5s.si.
The petition of Jefferson Davis. bv George
Shea. his attorney in fact in this behalf, res
pectfully showeth
That he is, and ever since the 10Th day of
May, in the year 1865. has been, restrained
OF 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 Virginia; and that
Brig.-Gen. Henry S. 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 attorney, in fact, unless 1t be certain
Indictment presented against your petition
er, at the May term of the above entitled
court, held in the year 1866, of which a
copy is hereunto annexed, marked A.
Your petitioner further shows that the
said May term was adjourned to meet at
Richmond, on the 9TH day of June, in the
year last aforesaid. That at said adjourned
term your petitioner appeared by his coun-
sel, and urged a trial at said adjourned
term, Offering to proceed without delay
but that the Government declined to pro-
ceed on said indictment. Your petitioner
of this Court, your petitioner appeared in
like manner; but the Government did not
bring on the trial. IL 1sHi
Your petitioner further shows that his
Imprisonment aforesaid has greatly i'm
paired his health, and that the continuance
thereof through the ensuing summer
would involve serious danger to his life, as
your petitioner believes. 93-Isa = sdt Ia
Your petitioner further says that ample
sureties for his appearance to abide ljudg-
ment on said Indictment can be given, if,
your petitioner shall be admitted to bail.
" our petitioner further shows that his de-
tention, imprisonment, and custody afore-'
said, always have been and are exclusively
under or by color of the authority of the
United States, and that he has reason to ap-
prehend that the Government may not pro-
ceed to the trial upon said indictment at
the next ensuing term of said Court, which
is to be held in Richmond on the first Mon
day of May, 1867.
Whereupon your petitioner prays that
writ of habeas corpus may issue from
this Honorable Court TO be directed to
Brig. .-Gen. Henry s. Burton aforesaid, and
whomsoever may hold your petitioner in
custody, commanding him or them to have
the body of your petitioner before the Cir
cult Conrt of the United States for the Dis
trict of Virginia, on the 1st Monday of
May, 1867, at the opening of the Court on
that day, or at such other time as in the
of inquiring into the cause of the commit
ment and detention of your petitioner, and
to do and abide such order as this court
may make in the premises. rs
And your petitioner will'ever pray.
,.si = d2s5- JEFFERSON DAVIS.
By GEO, SHEA, his Attorney in fact.
United States of Amertca District of Column
6id, S.: George Shea, being duly sworn, |
says, that he is attorney in fact for the pc
titioner in the preceding petition named !;
that he isacquainted is with the said petition
er, and saw him in close custody,a ,as prison
er. in Fort Monroe, in the mouth of March |
last, that he, this deponent. has general
tion stated, and that he verify believes the |
said petition to be in all respects true.
SO GEO. SHEA.
! Subscribed and sworn before me, Ibis 1st |
day of May, 1867, at.Alexandria, at Va.
JOHN G. UNDERwo ooD, District Judge.