The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-08-23

WASHINGTON. August 9.-The fol-
lowing document has been obtained
from official sources:
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE,
August 5, 1867.
Mr.. PRESIDENTS: The application OF
ChaS. a. Durham having been referred
to this office, in the customary ordnr OF
Executive business, for the examina-
ton and advisory action of the Attor-
ney General, it has become my duty,
during the indisposition and absence
of the distinguished incumbent of the
Law Department, carefully to cOnsid-
er the case. In respectfully declining,
as / do, to offer at present any recon-
mendation in the premises, | beg to
submit for your consideration the rea-
sons which cOnstrain me to reserve adj
vice and suspend judgment until ]
shall have been further instructed by
your EXcellency.
Dunham, the person applying for par
don, is the same who has become no.
torious under the name of Sanford Con
over. He was recently convicted OF
perjury in the District of columbia,
and is, as | am informed, now incarcer-
ated, in accordance with the sentence
of the court. His application seems to
be predicated, in part, upon supposed
Technical irregularity in the constltu-
tion of the jury, and is supported main
ly by the services which he is alleged
to have rendered the cause Of justice in
aiding the prosecuting counsel in the
collection of evidence and otherwise
upon the trial of John II. Surratt for
murder.
The papers upon which his applica-
ton is grounded, and by which it is
sustained, consist of four in a parcel,
which, by endorsement, appear to have
reached the Executive office on Satur-
day, the 9th of July, 1867. The first
is dated the 22d of July, and is written
upon the ordinary note paper used by
members of the House of Representa-
tives, with an engraved vignette cap
ton. The following is copy:
FORTIETH CONGRESS UNITED
STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIVEs, WASHINGTON, d. c., July D.
| 1867 67.-Gentlemen: | suggest that a
petition something like the enclosed
be prepared and signed by you for the
pardon of Mr.. Durham. | think he is
clearly entitled to it, and hope you
will aid him all you can.
Respectfully,
J. NJ. ASHLEY.
Hon. J. Holt, Hon. A. G. Riddle.
| 1t would seem from an expression
used in this note that a draft of a peti-
| tion was enclosed. 1t does not appear
what petition was thus designated.
The next paper is the following from
a late Representa- tive in Congress from
! Ohio, now a member of the Washing
! ton bar:
WASHINGTON, July %, 1867.-To the
President of the United States-Sir:
was early in April last retained to aid
! the Government in the prosecution o.
John III. Surratt, and took the general
management of the preparation of the
case.
The labor and difficulties of the case
were great, and the Government is un'
der great obligations to Charles A. Dun
| ham for much valuable information
! both as to the facts and witnesses fol
| the United States and for the history
of and facts concerning the witnesses
called for the defence. Although in jai
he managed to keep informed of the
progress of the case, and from time tC
! time communicated important facts
and suggestions, and seemingly for the
sole purpose of a fair investigation o.
the case, whether it would work for hi,
benefit or not. 1t seems to me that fol
his services in this behalf the Govern
ment should mark its appreciation o
them in way not to be mistaken.
Respectfully, A. G. RIDDLE.
Nothing is among the papers from
the Office of the District Attorney Of
from any Of the counsel in the Surrat
case, excepting Mr.. Riddle.
The next recommendation is from
the Bureau of Military Justice:
WASHINGTON, July a, 1S67.-I con
cur with the Hon. A. g. Riddle in hi
estimate of the value and importance
of the service rendered by Charles A
Dunham, as set forth in the foregoing
letter to the President. A principle o
public policy leads governments to en-
courage, by all honorable means, thos'
charged with crime to make disclos
ures which may and often do, result il
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