The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-21
JEFFERSON DAVIS
BEFORE THE u. COURT IN RICH
MOND, VA, ON THE 18TH NAY, 1867.
HIS RELEASE ON BAIL.


teresting account Of the release OF the Hon.
Jefferson Davis oa bail to answer 10 November
pext:
Mr. Davis was removed from Fortress Monroe
and convened to Richmond on Saturday the llth
inst. and 90 Monday the 18th be was carried
before Judge Underwood.
At twenty minutes before IL o'clock the
counsel for Mr Davis entered the Courtroom
Wig: NIessrs Charlie. OConor, William Reed,
George Shea John Randolph Tucker and Rob.
ert .Ou!d. They we're the objects Of general
attention. They took seats at the table pre-
pared for counsel
At twelve minutes to IL the main folding
door was thrown open, and the crowd rushed in
like river let loose, and soon filled up ell the
vacant space in the room
The members of the Grand Jury made :heir
appearance through the door t. the right of the
bench during this time. Messrs. Bolts aud
Segar we're amongst them.
at IL o'clock precisely Horace Greedy en-
tered the room, AID attracted great deal OF
notice, quite buzz being occasioned by the
sounding of his name throughout the audience
AT IL o'clock and Is minutes Judge Under
awood entered by the door leading to the jury
room, and took his seat; whereupon the Mar
shsl called to order, thus "llear ye! hear ye
silence is commanded while the honorable the
United States Circuit Court is in session. God
save the United States"
There was pause now. and the crowded
auditory were anxuusly looking to the doors to
catch the first glimpse Of the llustrlous prisoner
of State, whose arrival was monentariy ex-
pected.
At twenty minutes past ii o'clock the door
to the right Of the bench was opened, and the
veDerated prisoner appeared. attended by Gen
eral' Burton alone, whose bearing towards him
was more that of friend than jailor The Gen
eral conducted Mr. Davis to a seat in retired
position at the north eastern corner of the room.
lie looked more cheerful and bright than Cd
Saturday, but still the appearance OF
feebleness-of man who had suffered heavily
from care and anxiety The buzzlng OF sub
dued remarks again pcrvaded the audience, and
all eyes were turned where Mr. Davis sat but
owing to the number who were standing up, 1t
Sss difficult to get good view OF him.
Judge Underwood said:
The Court is honored on this occasion by the
presence of so many of the narion's noblest and
bravest defenders that the usual morning routine
will be omitted. We now ready for aDy
communication from General Burton
There we're cries of "sit down." and "order
mus. be preserved" by an officer of the court
The writ Of hnLeas corpus sued out by the
Court was then read, as follows:
WRIT OF HABEAs CORPUS
The Presidrnt Of the United States to Brgddlfr Cen
sral Hrnry S Burton, and TO any person or per-
sons haplng the custody Of Jcerson Davis. greeting
We command that you deliver the body of JEFF.
-ferson Davis. hy you Imprisoned aud de- aimed as
il is said together with ;he cause of such imprson-
ment and detention, by whatsoever name the said
Jefferson Davis may be called charged, before
our Circuit Court of the United States for the Dis
rirt nfV iuia The her at Rich
nond. in said District, the second Monday in
May, thousand eight hundred and sixtyseren,
at he opening of the Court that day, to do aud
receive what shall then and there be considered
concerning the said jefferson Davis.
Uitness: Salmon p. Chase. our Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court of ,he United States, this first
seven. W. ii BARRY.
Clerk Circuit Court U S , District Virginia.
This writ had the following endorsement:
In obedience to the exgency of the within, named
Circuit Court of the Uhi,ed States for the District of
Virginia. the body Of Jefferson Davis. al the time of
the service of the writ held by in inprisol ment at
Fortress Monroe, under the military authority of
the Uai,ed States, and subj CT and surrender the
said Jefferson Davis to the custody, jurisdiction,
and control of the said Z, ur,, as am directed TO
do by the order Of the President of the United
States, under date of May 8, 1857 = n,,p-o,
"Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General,
"Uniued States Army"
Mr. O'Conor said that on this return no reason
was stated for the imprisonment OF Jefferson
Davis, and it now remained for the Court to
take such action requisite 90 the part OF
.tbe civil authorities 10 bring the prisoner within
the proper limits to meet the indictment.
The Court replied The return is explicit and
satisfactory. Gen. Burton receives the thanks
of the Court for this prompt aud graceful ODE
dience to it's writ. lie has thus added another
to the many laurels he has gained upon the
battle fields of the country. He has illustrated
the many qualities of the soldier of the United
States, for courage in the face of danger 10 40,
mere becoming than ready recognition Of the
claims Of peace when the danger has passed
General Burton is now hoEorably relieved oil
the custody of the prisoner. who passes into the
custody of the Court, under the protection oil
silent 10 arms, they should be trumpet-tooeued
snd omnipotent in peace. The Marshal will
now serve On the prisoner the writ OF the in
dictment now in this court.
Deputy Marshal Duncan accordingly served
the writ On Jefferson Davis which the latter
Acknowledged.
served was found at the May term. 1866, of thu
Circuit Court held in Norfolk, aud is as follows
THE INDICTMENT AGAINST Mr. DAVIS.
United States of America, District of Virginia
to trit: In the Circuit Court of the United
States Of America in and for The District o.
pirgi"'a at Norfolk, May term, 1866
The Grand Jurors Of the United States Of
America 10 and for tho District of Virginia
upon their oaths and af6rmations, respe,tivel,
do present that Jefferson Davis, late of the cit,