Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-04-10
The Trial of the President.
TIE EVIDENCE


The following was among the evidence eli
cited by the managers on Wednesday
" H. BrRLE1GH testified On the evening Of
the 2lst Of February | went up to General
Thomas | made an appointment with him at
the Metropolitan Hotel ! told him | heard he
had been appointed Secretary Of War, and he
said he had been appointed that day | think
he said that after receiving his appointment from
the President he went 10 the War Office % show
his appointment 10 Mr. Stanton, and also his or
der TO take possession Of the office he remark
ed that he would take possession the next morn
ing at ten o'clock l think that in that connec-
ton he said that he bad issued some orders |
said that l would be Al that end OF the avenue
the next day, and he asked me to step in and see
him asked him whether I would find him in
the Secretary's room, and he said, - Yes, that
he would be there punctually at ten O'Clock
said l. g You are going TO take possession to-
morrow - he said 6 Yes - said I, - Suppose
Mr.. Stanton objects to it, what would you do -
His answer was that if Stanton objected to il ne
would use force said |, " Suppose he bolts the
doors against you - said he, - g" if be does
will break them down"
SAMUEL WILKINSON, testified that Gen Thom-
as told him on the Zlst Of February, that on
Monday morning he should demand possession Of
the War Department and It's property, and if
that demand Was refused or resisted that he
should apply 10 the Governor in Chief Of the
Army for force sufficient 10 enable him 70 take
possession Of the War Department and he added
that he did not see how this General Of the Ar
my could refuse to obey his command for that
force. He then added that under the order
which the President had given him, he had no
election to pursue any other course than the
one he indicated that he was subordinate
officer, directed by an order from superior off,
Ger, and that he must pursue that course.
inns testimony seems to disprove efiectually Of
the Presidents allegations that he never thought
Of using force to eject Mr.. Stanton
GEORGE ". kARsENER, sworn. Was a citizen
Of Newcastle county, Delaware knew General
Thomas &; had known him great while, since
shortly after leaving West Point lived in the
same county with him /; saw him about the 9th
Of March in Washington, at the Presidents 5
House, in the East Room, about quarter after
ten O'Clock in the evening witness told Thomas
that he was a Delawarian and supposed he would
recognize him, which he did, but could not re-
member his name ; gave Thomas his name and
told him he knew him many years ago, well
as his father and brother he said he was a
Delaware boy. and witness said, g He asked me
what we were doing in Delaware, and don t
! remember the SnsWeT L gdCe but ediu ~ MN,
g General the eyes of Delaware are on you. 5"
! (Laughter.) | told him that Delaware would
require him to stand firm ; he said he would :;
he was standing firm (laughter), and wouldn't t
dlsapPoint his friends and in day or two, or
three days, or a short time, he would kick that
fellow out. (Laughter)
=. anything further said A. Yes, Sir ;
there was something further said, if recollect
right repeated again TO him what the expec-
tation Of Delaware would be-Claughter) )-he
said need not give myself anv concern about
that he was going to remain firm and kick that
fellow out (laughter)-he didn't mention anv
names, but witness thought he referred 10 the
Secretary of War.
Cross-examination by Mr.. Stanbery-witness
was cross-examined in regard to the interview
with Gen. Thomas as the President, levee, his
eccentric manner and responses creating burst:
of laughter on the floor as well as in the gal
leries
Q. ask you, Mr.. Ksrsener, if this idea o
kicking out did not first come from you' A
No, sir.
Q. Are you sure Of that 3, A. Well, fv
taken an oath, guess. (Laughter.)
Q. l ask you if you are sure Of that A an
sure of that.
Q. When be said he would kick him out wha
did you reply? A. don't think did reply 3
that it was pretty severe expression