New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-21

thru mo to relate the circumstances when he inter
isn't 1t 90 Ianswercd Yes Sir and II Won vii 1,,
to me moment win explain it," he raised the plr,Iou
from 'c table and SAID, But what busnos, have You
with this pardOnW When again aftennted Ia ~. ~.
eanee nc 9 Tb ra ~ ny 'syng well ths 5 y
have nO business wth it, SIR. There alnusy
sion ne. stating That oGd tn Whole matter
Lad not proceeded far however when he became very
much excited, rose from his chair and s'dd. Sir What
business have you 10 interfere hetei What business has
this woman to use my name IN connection with this
mattcri How iid this pardon get cut ~ the Attorney
the pardon 10 remarked this IS my signature. noe
sign this pardon until late t afternoon and hero
mud II returned, you say through pardon broker-
lie called his Robert, aud inquired, Robert YOU
know anything about this pariOn" Robert answered.
f6s father; that Is the panon you signed Tor Mrs Cok
this afternoon" He took the pardon from his drawer.
Whereas Mrs. CO6b'" replied. At my Headquarters"
"Did you arrest her. sirT replied, NO Sir; simply
ton" Again he became very much excited walled the
room - and fro. and suddenly turned ferOcOusy Upon
duties OF the President the Attorney General % Ny
swer was certainly intended wrong did not conceive
OF this woman my only desire 10 exhibit 20 him the
character OF the persons engaged in procuring parous.
very sorry lie became more composed, and wanted to
know who this Mrs Cobb was stated to him, Tar
possible, who she lie then asked me II I would
request Mrs. Cobb to come and him the following
eHSnng az G Sf0cS 11hsd & IAN & ne also
which promised to DO and leaving the pardon and Mrs
returned to my headquarters
During my conversation with Mrs. Cobb, previous 20
visiting the President, before recorded learned that
Mrs. Ella b. Washington. residing in Georgetown, was
also engaged in tho pardon business, and. knowing
M cob6 case would ntmdate and iO pSeyens
Mrs washington from procuring further pardons
rom ths e. PreSident, imnedtatey, ON the same
the OF John Kelly placed this application tho
directed him TO go to Mrs Washingtons boarding house
in Georgetown and make agreement to procure from
troduced Capt Hine to 0rs. Cobb accompanied him to
Georgetown, and introduced him to Mrs Washington as
Rebel, and an applicant for pardon Mrs. Washington
informed Capt Hne that she would procure his pardon
that night He paid the 500 to Mrs Washington
and took the following receipt
Received from ,ohn KEY hundred dollars retaining fee isI OBJ
'-''' Sisned ELIZA B. wAsmssos
Thspardon however not procured because, on the
following morning, Mrs. CObbs had become uOised
about among the pardou-brokers, and Mrs Washington
declined TO comply with her contract.
onarterS informed her hat she was af liberty 10 20
home. and Immediately furnished herself and husband
determination 10 lay the whole matter before the Pres
denr, and have summary dismissed the service shs
told that she had very influential tends IN washing
ton she would go before the Grand Jury and have
indicted for false imprisonment. DC.
In compliance with the Presidents request went 70
his mansion the next evening, and found him in state OK
great excitement. BE denounced my interference with
maj at the White House, Mrs Cobb respectable
vrtuous lady. and had no right 10 interfere with
her occupation" | had sincerely believed
e2pSsnr the character and business Of this woman
When however found that he was determined to
put wrong construction upon my motives, and TO
sustain Mrs Cobb. felt mortified aud indignant Never
was there greater contrast between anilepations ana
the result II was coming down from the summit OF hut
man glory when the unworthy ruler OF great people
conquered and led captive apparently by the yie
proge OF his fancy. The Grend Jury of the Disric. OF
Columbia then being in session on the following day,
meSs had been found against meone for false mpson
Of blrs Cobb; for false imprisonment OF DIR.
Cobb for robbery in taking from her the 800 bad
marked and given Capt. Howell. and for extorton
1t would be difficult TO imagine how Grand Jury could
dicments but when IL is recOleced that nearly every
member of this Grand Jury was secessionist that many
four years fallen under my official notice these facts WILL
perhaps, furnish explanation When it became known
that these indictments had been found against tho
dsloyal press throughout the country hailed the event
as likely TO terminate my official connection with the
Government and declared that President Johnson would
permit himself to he compromised by permitting
we're pains taken by the Associated Press 70 send the
news broadcast everywhere that Col Baker had been in
Jicted for robbery without giving any of the circum-
stances in connection with the case. To those reports
that n an impartial investigation could had should
stand not only hOnOraby acquitted before the commun
y. but that action in the case would be commended
on the evening OF November TO- 1865 in conversation
with the President he affirmed that it was not possible
that he could the character of the females visiting
hiss house: he desired 10 give oil an interview;
Mrs Cobb and Mrs: Washington had been
there frequently he knew their faces well;
believed he had or two OCCASIONS recon-
mended Mrs Cobb to the Secretary Of the Treasury for
situation but beyond that he knew nothing OF her or OK
Mrs Washington and II he could be convinced that the
Of these women was had ne SsF MSn %S
moment. He then asked me to make out written re-
port briefly possible which lie could base some
order directing his ubordnates to exclude bad charao
! ters from the Waite House. ..,,--
After what had said to the President respecting Mrs
Cobb and her operations at the White House. and after
furnishing him with an Official report at us own re-
quest certainly thought he would give orders to have
her kept out OF the Executive mansion on e contrary
heard that she more frequent visitor there than
Of Gen Bakers interference she was stin a welcome
guest OF the President could not think this possible.
President and myself TO issue, directed an
officer TO ascertain whether this was true, and
learned that she constant visitor Still thinking
President could not be OF her visits on the 18th
Of November. stationed detective police officer at the
front entrance with instructions TO prevent Mrs CObbs
entering About IL o'clock usual, she presented her
self and told that she could not ill., She asked the
BY order OF Gen Baker" Mrs. Cobb replied: WELL
will the President in ten Minutes She went round to
the part OF the house. entered the Kitchen went up
10 the Presidents private roOm and told him that Gen.
Baker had stationed detective at the door prevent
and said 81 Sir by whose order do you presume To
guard my doori" The detective replied: II am not
Baker to prevent Mrs Cobb from entering the
house" The President said :. Tell Gen. Baker
started for my Office but in the mean time the Presidents
sent his private messenger who arrived fst and IN
very excited informed me the President wished
TO immediately: Unjust drop All business and come
at once | went and entered the Presidents private
room found him alone pacing the room very excitedly
ives ut nv door, told him that supposed desired
Mrs Cobb and other females OF like character TO be kept
from the house He answered: ." When want your
vices will send for you Mrs. Cobb has just AS much
right here you any other person. ms Is
the first time, sir, that you have nterered at the
White House Now want IL stopped"
still pacing the room he repeated several times what
he had before said concerning Mrs Cobbhat she had a.
much right visit the White House as any other respect
able person Walking up 10 me like puglhst, he shook
his fist in my face said again: How dare you pre-
sumo TO exercise any control over the manage
ment OF the White HOusep then said:
Mr. President when such vile characters as
Mrs. Cobb can visit the White House at all
time. night aud day when she procure pardons as
she has done in the OF Capt Howell. and deliver
them person Incomplete, without being recorded;
when publicly in the streets hotels. and saloons
that she is pardon broker, aud the President
dare refuse OF her applications. Int she has tho