The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-21
THE CHARGE OF PERJURY AGAINST
GOVERNOR BAKER.
THIRD DAVIS EXAMINATION.

The examination of the charge against his ex-
celency Gov. Baker was resumed yesterday at Q
A. Il. The following is a synopsis of the testi-
mony that was taken, Wis
Jas. W. Wallace slcoyn-Lived, in 1862. in
Franklin, parish OF St Mary; know nothing about
any subscription being taken up for placing OBJ
structions in Bayou 1eche; the Planters Banner
and the Attakapas Register were published there
at that time think there was call published 10
these papers for subscriptions for the obstruc.
tons Judge Baker, Tom Foster and third party
were the persons spoken of to whom the sub
scriptons were to be paid; Gov. Baker was the
Ieputed owner OF the steamer Archer; don't
know whether she had anything to do with
placing distractions or not; think the governor
q member of tn jury at that time: don't
know personally who was engaged in taking up
the subscriptions for the distractions; cannot re-
member any one who was called upon for sub.
scrptiOns; looked upon Gov. Baker in 1861 as a
very loyal man; it was supposed after wards that
he was engaged in the work Of placing obstruc-
tons in the bayou did not change opinion of
Gov. Baker, only wondered that such rumors
could be true; in 1861 looked upon him as being
a good Union man; afterwards formed the
opinion, judging from the talk of the community,
that be was good Confederate thinks he read
something in the papers about Gov. Baker being
thanked for his assistance in the work of placing
down the 0bstru ctions.
Judge j. X. Belden slcorn-Resided in 1862 in
the parish of Vermilion; passed through the par
=
about the distractions; never was with Governor
Baker on the Archer; had a conversation with
Gov. Baker just before Gen. Banks passed through;
after the return of the C0nfederates witness took
charge Of the negroes who came back from Texas
and distributed them; sent confidential letter 70
Judge Pafrey about negro he had In his posses
sion; Judge Baker came and received the negro
said to Judge Baker then that the tim0ers in the
bayou would risepp In judgment against all who
had any agency in,putting them there; when 1
saw that Gov. Baker was appointed governor
said did not think, II reports were true, he could
take the oath; but when | saw Gov. Baker taking
the oath before Judge Ilsey l was confident he
would not take it unless be could do 1t conscenti-
ously never stated to anyone that had said to
Gov. Baker that the tmbers would rise up in judg-
ment against him; the Archer belonged to Gov.
Baker; had no conversation with Gov. Baker this
morning about the trial; exchanged the usual sal
utations with him and took drink of water 10 his
Office there we're subscriptions taken up for the
protection of the country Against the feeeras, sud
Tor the support Of persons going int the Coated
crate army; witness never gave cent to them;
none OF these subscriptions mad any reference to
Gov. Baker whatever; In 1851 aud i62 Gov. Baker
was regarded as a loyal man--after that his 10y.
atty was questioned; witness thought Judge Baker
was dsloyal after 1851 and '62 IL was understood
In the community that GOV. Baker was assisting
the cause OF the Confederacy; the impression of
witness. though he could not 0e sure, was that the
newspapers cOmplmeDted Judge Baker for his
assistance TO the Confederate government; wit
ness was always Union man; a Union man could
not have lived In the section where witness resides
If be had given public expression 10 an opinion
against the Confederaey; no Union man dared TO
express his opinion by word or deed; their mouths
and hands were tied it would not have been safe
for Gov. Baker to have denied any statements
mace about his Confederate sympathies; he cOuA
not refuse to lend his boat or to furnish his slaves
for work, when called upon; witness was one OF
tie few Union men in this locality; one OF the best
union men IN the parish Of VerniliOn, Recorder
Iheall, was publicly thanked for giving $40, which
he gave very reluctantly often thought that this
was practice of the COnfederates to get Union
men committed.
iona O. While sloOrn--In 1852 lived in Frank
lin, publishing the Attakapas Register wall
paper; closed the paper IN april 1868. KnOwn
Governor Baker for about twenty years. Lived
in the same town with him in 1862. Knows Of
distractions being placed IN the feche and Atoha-
falsya previous 10 January OF 1868. Passed by
the distractions several times. Witness wrote
the editorials, set up the types, printed the paper
and distributed il. Governor Baker was not
member of-the police jury at that time. Don't
Know OF Governor Baker having anything TO do
with the distinctions. Witness was not called
upon 10 subscribe. Witness was not considered
loyal man. Thinks the Archer belonged TO Gov
ernor Baker. Was not aware that he was en-
gaged in the work Of putting down obstructijn
The Planters Banner WAS published 10 the parish
Don't remember having published call for sub
seriptiols 10 put down distractions. Don't re-
member that any subscriptions were to be paid TO
Governor Baker. There was no liberty Of ex-
PRECISION in Franklin at that time for Union men,
Knew great many Union men who had TO join
end work for the Confederacy because they could
not hep it. Some of them had TO 60 into the army
as eoDfcIipis. Steamboats, barges, boats, negroes,
PROVISIONS, every and anything was taken BY me
C0nfedeTates that they wanted. II was almost
impossible TO get out Of the Confederate lines.
Don't know Of any real Union man being publicly
thanked for services rendered to the Confederate
government.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Whites testimony the
examination was continued over to Tuesday, morn
ing at Q o'clock.