New-York tribune., 1868-02-24
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snIP-ExCITING SCENES AT THE CAPITAL.
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WASHINGTON. Feb. 49, 1868.
When your correspondent closed his dispatches on
Friday night at 10 o'clock, warrant had been issued
bvJudQe Cartier for the arrest of Lorenzo Thomas the
nominee of the President as Secretary Of War Gd R
rim Gen. Thomas, at the time was, in small way,
big man the observed Of all observers at ball in
Georgetown. That his arrest had been determined
on was kept very quiet and was Lknown to only
few, who whispered mysteriorsly on the situation
and wondered and surmised as TO the next move
Friday night was of rumOr. speculation ana eX-
oitement. The lights in Mr.. StantOn's office burned
brightly and sentinels kept both on the inside
and the outside. The Secretary remained there all
night, and was waited on by several members Of
Congress, among whom were Gems. FaInswOrth and
Pile, and tie Hon. saml. Hooper, Gen. Schenck and
the Hon. Norman B. Judd. The latter remained with
the Secretary until o'clock in the morning, and
Gen. Thayer, Senator from Nebraska, helped be-
guile the remaining portion of the early morning
hours, until again excited groups gathered on the
streets in the hotels and in the barrOOms, to dis
cuss the events of the night, and speculate upon
what the day was to bring forth. Toward O'Clock
Gen. Farnsworth, Mr.. Judd and other COngressmen
again arrived and sent their cards to the Secretary
Walters soan came with breakfast and the Secretary
partOok of his first meal in the War Department,
since the close Of the war. Said of the gentle
men: Secretary don't you find this rather
strange and queer place TO take breakfast !" " Oh,
no,D with a smile, was the reply, while the Rebel
hon was going on used often to dine and sup here,
and the morning hours often dawned on me at my
desk"
About the same time that the Seere-
tary was thus employed, Marshal Good
ing and two aids presented themselves
at the house of Lorenzo Thomas, Tenth and H-sts'
The Marshal stated the object of bis visit producing
the writ which. he had received from Gen. Pile Of
Missouri that morning; and Gen. Thomas, on read
ing it, appeared one of the most surprised and aston
ished men in the world. Nothing was further from
his thoughts than his arrest. However, he accompa-
MED the Marshal, first asking him whether he might
20 10 the President The Marshal replied that he
supposed So but that he responsible for mis- safe
keeping, aud that if he should escape he would be
greatly to blame Gen. Thomas said . / know am
in your possession, but do not mean to escape"
Gen. Thomas was taken to the White House before
he went before Judge Cartier Gen. Thomas told
the President the particulars of his arrest and John
son said he had expected it, and wished to test the
matter in court He also went to Stanbery's Office,
and that parsonage told him that he should 80 before
10 nj hot ba nould MT for him
o. counsel in the case. Judge Cartier awaited the
Generals arrival. The Judge informed Gen. Thomas
that be should require bail for his appearance on
Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.
The following the section of the act cited by Mr.
Stanton in the affidavit:
AZ ACT regulating the tenure Of certain civil OeeNsIch 1851
Wssoed and passed over ssEnsl -, r,.. 9, ans, ,o,sor
shall contrary 70 the provisions Of this act accept any
appointment or employment in any office, or snail hold
or exercise OF attempt 10 hold exercise any such Office
or employment, lac shall be deemed and IS hereby De
Sased TO pc guilty Oi s5 sa n tberr bv
nne exceeding $4,000 or by not exceed
lng years. both; said punishments In the discretion
Of the court
The warrant was handed TO Gen. Pile. Of Missouri
who delivered it to Marshal GOoding at his residence
at z o'clock on Saturday morning, and the latter,
with Deputy Marshal Phillips and Bailif Chandler,
FASTENED to Gen. Thomas's residence, Tenth and H
streets and found him at breakfast. Gen. Thomas
with his daughters, had spent the night at bal
adsqus; but, without waiting to finish his breakfast
he at once prepared to accompany the officers
Alto O'clock on Saturday morning, Judge Cartier
appeared in Court, and Gen. Thomas was required
to give bail for his appearance on Monday next, to
answer the charges in Mr.. Stanton's affidavit. He
cent for his counsel Messrs. Bradley and Merrick,
and after consultation he was held in 5000 bonds to
appear on Wednesday next. The bail of 5000 was
furnished by Messrs. George B. Hail. eoachmaker Of
Washington and Elias A. EiasOn, tanner of George
town. AT about lOl o'clock. Gen. Thomas, accom-
panied by his counsel left the courtroom, and
after brief consultation with Messrs Bradley and
Mer1icl at their Office, he accompanied the Presi-
dents Private Secretary. Col. Moore to the Execu-
tive Mansion dropping into the Attorney Generals
Office on the way.
Shortly after IL o'clock Gems. Grant and Dent en-
tered the building and proceeded to Secretary Stan
fon's room. Gen. Howard arrived afterward, but
Femain9d only q short time. While Gen. Thomas
iR tho bnldDg several gentlemen sent their cards to
bn but the messengers were unable TO reach him in
the Secroarys Office. Mr. X. I. MerFick, one of
Gen. Thomass counsel presented himself for the
purpose Of giving certain papers to Gen Thomas but
ihe messenger. with Mr. Merrick's card, was denied
admission To- the room Of the Secretary and imme-
diatey afterwxd an order was issued that person
whatever shouN be admitted, and that all cards
shOuld he taken to Secretary Stanton direct. Col.
L. -. Is<l