Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-05-21
Examinatio1, of Senator Henderson.

EAslla21IsatRO1a Oh SScHs2GVE GASh2~SAS'SAA"
Senator Henderson was examined yesterday
before the special committee appointedSby the
House to inquire into the attempt OF the Mis-
sourideegation to control bis vote on impeach--
mcut. He said that the members firstcailed,
on him without his previous knowledge, and
urged impeachment from a party point of view.
He rejected this view of.the case, and informed
them that his duties were judicial, and not po'
@liticat.s Some feeling arose, when NJ UNI
der the excitement ofsthe moment, stated That
he would resign his seat. After reflection, ne
concluded that this course would be wholly IN
admissible, and he so informed the members.
He said he did not believe the members inten-
ded corruptly to influence his vote. He
thought they had taken false and erroneous
view Of the subject.
He was asked about dining with the Chief
Justice, and said that he was the only one OF
the fourteen Senators reported who really dlued
with him on the occasion stated. lie said be
had no conversation with the Chief Justice in
reference to the reported new party, nor had
| the Chief Justice ever attempted to influence
his mind on the subject Of impeachment, nor
did he believe that MIR. Chase had tried to IN
fuence the mind of any Senator.
On the subject Of reported Cabinet appolnt-
ments, the Senator said that in 1866, before
the breach between Mr.. johnson and Congress,
and even alter that, he had advised Mr.. J ohm
son to change his Cabinet. He did not think
any Cabinet should remain In power after be-
ing voted down by the representatives OF the
people The last time he had any talk with
Mr.. johnson on the subject of Cabinet appoint
| ments, was in January last. Since then he
had had no interview with the President, but
had frequently heard the rumors Of a change,
| as all others had. He frankly gave his infor-
nation, and bis reasons for believing it, but
distinctly diselaimed that he was, or could have
| been, influenced by any such considerations. :
His duty was TO look to the charges, and the
evidence adduced to sustain them. lie could
not 70 outside OF them0T Ee knew nothing OF
the political complexion OF the contemplated
appointments, and did not know that any
changes would be made at all, beyond the.ru-
mors, the origin of-Which he frankly gave, and
(which the committee could Investigate tor
themselves He said he knew nothing and
had heard nothing in regard to a reported
change Of policy by the Presid ent on the sub
ject of demonstrations, but inferred that a
change Of policy would certainly follow a
change OF Cabinet. He had said, and repeated
it, that in his judgment too much of the con-
troversy between johnson and Congress springs
from the advice Of an incompetent Cabinet,
aad that the selection of more able and unset
fish men from either or both. Of the par
ties would tend to give peace to the country
and restore confdencs to business. Helstated
that no assurances Of any character whatever
had been made, directly or Indirectly, to him
by the President, or to any one else, so lar a.
he knew and it they had been made, they
could have had no influence en- his judgment.
Its said that this testimony entirely sweeps
away the many false and ridiculous rumors
started to injure those Senators opposed to in,
parchment. -a-
After Mr.. H. had frankly answered all qucs-
tons propounded on every subject, he said he
had submitted to this extraordinary examine.
ton to prevent unjust inferences that would
have been drawn from his refusal to answer
He stated that the authority of the committee
was confined to Investigating the acts OF the
Missouri members in their own House, and
could not be extended to an investig atlou into
his conduct, or the conduct OF his colleagues in
the Senate He had now answered fully, but
deemed it his duty to enter his protest against
this proceeding. is said that the committee
| then, BY an almost unanimous vote, resolved
to expungc all that part Of the examination not
coming under the authority of the resolution
Nat Int. ..sa -..-t.1. ... .... -