National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-06-07

; NOuli lCu uuCSi ME. tODD W toult
and see him the following evening
at six o'clock. | replied. "Certain
ly.n He also requested me to come
and see him the next evening, which
| promised to do, and, leaving the
pardon and Mrs. CObb's contract
with Capt. Howell in his possession
| returned to my headquarters.
During my conversation with Mrs
Cobb previous to visiting tie Presi-
dent, as before recorded, | learned
that Mrs. Ella b. Washington, re-
siding i'll Georgetown, was also Ell
gagged i'll the pardon business, and
knowing that the exposure that
must necessarily follow III Mrs.
Cobb's case would int .midate and
prevent Mrs. Washington from pro
curing further pardons from the
President, L Immediately, on the
same evening, drew up an applica
ton for another pardon, in the name
Of John Kelley. | placed this ap-
plication III the hands of Capt. Hine
gave him 800 i'll treasury notes, and
directed him TO 20 Mrs. Washing
tons boarding house in Georgetown
and make an agreement to procure
from the President another pardon
). 5. Jones, who had introduced
Capt. Hines to Mrs. Cobb. accom-
panied him to Georgetown, aud III
troduced him to Mrs. Washington
as rebel, and an applicant for a
pardon. Mrs. Washington inform
ed Capt. Hine that she would pro.
cure his pardon for him that night.
He paid the 500 to Mrs. Wash
ington and took the following re
ceipt:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. j,1SG5.
Received from John Kelly one hun.
dred dollars as retaining fee for OBJ
tanning his (kelly'S) pardon from
the President.
(SigncO ELLA b. WASHINGToN.
This pardon, however, was not
procured, because, on the following
morning, Mrs. Cobb's ease had be
come noiscd about among the par
don brokers, and Mrs. Washington
declined to comply with her con
tract.
But to return to Mrs. Cobb. On
arriving at my headquarters, | in
formed her that She was at liberty
To go home, and Immediately fur
nished herself and husband with a
conveyance. Before leaving, She
reiterated her determination TO lay
the whole matter before the PreSi-
dent, and have me summarily dis
missed from the service. She told
me that she had very influential
friends in Washington, and she
would go before the Grand Jury
and have me indicted for false inn
priSonment, &c.
In compliance with the Presi-
dents request. | went to his man
sion the next evening, and found
him in n state of great excitement
He. denounced "m y Interference
with things at the White House
Mrs. Cobb was a respectable and
virtuous lady, and had no right
to interfere with her occupation" |
had sincerely believed | could rem
der the President a great service
| 10y exposing the business and char
actcr of this woman. When, how
ever, found that he was dctcrmiu.
cd to put wrong construction upon
/ my motives, and to sustain Mrs.
/ Cobb, | felt mortified and indig
/ nant. Never was there Il greater
/ contrast bet cen anticipations and
/ the result. 1t was coming down
from the summit of human glory
when the unworthy ruler of Il great
people was conquered and led cap
tive apparently by the vile pro
tege of his fancy. The Grand jury
of the District Of Columbia then
being in session, on the following
day, very much to my surprise,
learned that four indictments hat
been found against mc-onc tol
false imprisonment of Mrs. Cobb
0ne for false imprisonment of Mr.
Cobb ; one for robbery i'll taking
from her the 500 had marked ant
given to Capt. Howell, and one 10
eXtortiOn. 1t would be difficult {,
imagine how a Grand Jury coul,
ever find evidence in this case OF
which to base these indictments
but when it is recollcctcd that near
~ every member OF this Grand Ju
~ was Il secesionlSt that many q
them. if not all. had at some time
during the previous four years fall
en- under my official notice, thes,
facts will, perhaps, furnish an eN
panation. When ii became know
that these indictments had beel
found against me, the disloyal pres
throughout the country hailed tht
event as one likely to terminate III,
official connection with the Govern
lnent, and declared President John
son would never permit himself t,
he compromised by permitting TIN
continuance of the Detective Bu
reau. Especially were pains taicl
by the Associated Press TO send tn
news broadci st everywhere, tina
Col. Baker lad been indicted TO
robbery, without giving any of th
circumstances in connection witt
the ease. To those reports ] mad
no reply, determined to wait pat
entity, satisfied that, if an impartia
investigation could he had, ! shoul'
stand not only honorably acquitte'
before the community, but that m
action in the ease would be CON