Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-15
MORE DISCLOSURES.
Sanford Csnover in another Character

MORE DISCLOSURES.
Sanford Cenover in another Character.
flour views expressed few days since as
to the unreliability OF the Oonover statement
needed any support beyond the facts men
toned in that connection. 1t is ful nished in the
Wnioi n ih nape Oesn
ment. They disclose a plot having two OBJ.
jects-the first and principal one teing to Sc
cure the release OF JEFF. Davis, and tue second,
down the Bureau OF Military Justice.
The affidavit of Nathan Anser is as follows:
s"Nathan Anser, OF Cold Spring, Queens
county, in the State OF New Iork, being duly
well acquainted with Benjamin Wood, late
proprietor OF the New York Daily News; Mr..
Dick Taylor, ex general OF the rebel army,
attorney and counsellor. .al-law in this city,
and Charles A. Durham, (sometimes known
as Sanford Uonover,) sttorney and counsellor
at-Iaw in the State OF New YORK. Further
says that about the middle OF July. 1866, he
was present, by in vitation from Conover. at
an interview, at which James Matterson was
also present. between the latter and the said
Office of said Pryor, 81 Liberty street, in this
city. That Csnover, before INVITING deponent
to be present at SAID interview, informed de-
ponent that the interview was 10 De held for
the purpose Of dev Using add itional measures
to aid in the movement then being made for
the release of Jefferson Davis, and that de.
pOnent would probably be able, by making
deposition. TO render service in the matter, for
which a liberal compensation would be made.
Deponent further says that after being intro
duced to said Pryor and Wood, he former pro-
posed to read, and did read, to deponent two
aff1davits, which had been previously pre-
pared tor deponent to swear to; that one of
said affidavits alleged and set forth at great
length that depcnent had, in February, 1866,
been taken by said Conover before the Hon.
Joseph Holt. Judge advocate general of the
armies OF the United States, and had been re-
quested and urged by said Conover and said
judge advocate general to make false and
fabricated deposition under the ficticlous name
of George Waddell, implicatIng Jefferson
Davis in the assassination of President Lin
coin; that said affidavit set forth that deponent,
when requested by Conoyer and Judge Holt
to make the dispositions as in said affidavit al.
legged, expressed fears and conscientious scru-
pies in opposition thereto. and that Judge
Holt assured deponeDt that the proceedings
would not be attended with any danger, as the
making OF such depos iton would not amount
to legal perjury, aud could scarcely be said to
amount 10 moral perjury; thatit would at most
be what is sometimes called q "wni,e lie,"
ans that the most honorable men have some
times found it necessary to do little evil in
order that much good might come; that it
was not expected to use the deposition in any
proceeding against Davis. as it was evident
from the course being pursue by the President
that he would never order trial for Davis on
account of his completely In the assassination;
that all that was LETT of the rebellion was CEN
was collecting would go upon the files of the
Burea OF Military Justice, and form a solemn
part of the history of the rebellion, so that, al
though Davis would escape with his life, he
would be branded in history as assassin,
and covered with everlasting infamy. Depo-
nent further says that the other of said affida-
Wits read TO him by Pryor, and 10 which he
was REQ uested to subscribe, and wear, set forth
the testimony which deponen. had given be-
fore the military commission on the trial OF the
in regard 10 threats and violence by
rebels toward Conover Tor having given testi-
m mony before said commission, and that said
aft davit alleged that the testimony given by
as aforesaid was fabricated and false,
and was fabricated by Conover and Judge
false in every particular. and was given by
deponent be ore the commission as aforesaid
at tue instance and request OF Judge
Holt who; having helped to fabri.
said, promised to pay, and did pay, deponent
literally for so doing. Deponent says, further
that after said afidavits had been read TO him
by said Pryor, he said to said Pryor and
others present that there was not q word of
truth In either Of the papers, and that he did
not see. although Conover had attempted TO
one from his swearing to such pack of -
lies that Pryor replied that much good would
come from it; that Judge Holt was attempting
to tasten the fault and crime OF procuring
bogus witnesses upon Conover, and that the
affidavit deponent was req quired to make would
project Coneyer and fasten the out.
rageous business on Holt: that In the next
place the affidavits would aid the movement
then being made for the release of Mr.. Davis,
who had been Ontrageously treated, by bring
ing condemnation upon Judge Holt and the
Bureau OF Military Justice, which would in
duce the President to pardon Mr.. Davis or
release him on parole. aud also that 1t would
save depcnent much pain and trouble, as it
was known that deponent had assisted In
make false depositions in the Bureau of Mill.
tary Justice against Mr.. Davis, and it had
been determined by the friends OF Mr.. Davis
to prosecute for perjury end subornation Of
per Jury llengaeed in that business who did
not come forward and confess under oath that
all they had done had been done with the
ge and procurement of Judge Holt,
TOR the avswed purpose Of branding Jefferson
Davis as an assassin and covering his name
with infamy; that at this point BENJAMIN Wood
interrupted Mr.. Pryor, saying, Eyes and You
benefit yourself still further by taking the
money which you will receive for making the
afidavits.' DepoRentfurther says that it was
then stated to him by Wood and Pryor that de-
ponent would receive $500 upon swearing to
SAID afddavIts, and il it should become neces-
sary TO publish them or either OF them, or
make any public allusion thereto in which de-
ponents name should be mentioned, he (depo-
nelD would receive $500 more, and in the
ayerments in his afidayits, or either OF them
in court OF justice or any legal proceedir gs,
that he should receive g. 900 in addition to the
sums so promised or paid to him.
Ueponent further saye. that he then replied
to the propositions and promises Of Pryor and
Wood. that while he vas ready 10 do anything
IN his power TO get q friend out of diff Guilty
Or protect himself, that he W ould see JEFF Davis
n HI before he would swear to such Id lies
as required Of him to save his JEFF Davis)
neck from the galiows: that deponent then
said, SO that all present could hear, addressing
his words to Conover. that he could protect
himself, and Conover also, by seeing Judge
Holt, and that he would do so at once, tor he
believed that there was danger Of getting into
! greater dif1cultv by the course proposed. and
was bound not to put his foot in it, )" If it
would save every rebel from JEFF Davis down.
md said: sWell, II you decline TO help your
riezds out of the difficulty which you have
helped them to get into you are at least
we understand. who will not repeat
my thing that has been said TO you, or any por-
ion Of the conversation which has confiden.
tally taken place in your presence" That de-
ponent replied that he should have nothing
Whatev yer TO say on the subject, and that, as he
1ecltned to take any part In the business, he
would take his leave; that deponent then left |
he office OF said Pryor, leaving said Wood,
Pryor and Conover, and said James Matterson
hereaf. Deponent further says that he be.
,ame q party to said interview at the request |
him to understand that he fdeponent) could |
oy making deposition sustain him {Conover)
n quarrel which had arisen between him
md Judge Holt and assist him (Conover) in
! professional engagement to aid, by HARM |
ess artifce and strataRem, movement al
eyed to be on foot, with the knowledge and ap- |
probation OF President johnson, to insure the |
'eleass Of Jefferson Davis on bail or parole.
further says that he was never in-
reduced by Conover or any one else to Judge |
h holt for the purpose OF making deposition
Js6arson Davis In the assassIna. |