Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-10

the Senate had arrived to see Mr. johnson,
the latter directed Mr. Brown, the sergeant
alarms, to be admitted.
After the usual civil salutations Mr.. Brown
said, ''Mr. President, have here a package
which 1 am ordered by the Senate of the
United States to deliver to you" at the same
time handing sealed envelope or package
containing the writ, etc. Mr.. johnson re-
plied-"Very we'll, sir; it shall have my at
tention." Mr.. Brown-"Good evening Mr..
President" Mr.. Johnson-Good evening,
Mr. Brown" And here Mr.. Brown with
drew. Shortly afterward the President opens
ed the package and found therein the writ,
including copy of the articles of impeach-
mont, ETC., substantially as anticipated in
these dispatches in Saturdays paper
It is given out tonight that one other ar
ticle of impeachment will be proposed in the
House tomorrow, through General Butler,
based upon charge made by one Belknap,
formerly purser at the Brooklyn navy yard,
who alleges that the President has neglected
to restore him to his official position, from
which he was suspended some two or three
years ago.
Belknap's statement is that the govern
ment funds at the Brooklyn hayward were
stolen; that he caused to be arrested several
PARTIES " nun lC D6LISH6u " D6 INC Gh1SfCS
and had them delivered into the custody of
the Navy Department; that afterwards the
accused were liberated; that Belknap was
charged with the defalcation in 100000,
the sum stolen; that he was suspended; that
he demanded of the Secretary of the Navy
trial by naval court-martial; that accord
ing to law, if no such trial be ordered in
twelve months after demanded, the Presi-
dent must restore the suspended officer to his
former official position; that no trial was or
dered; that Belknap has asked to be restor-
ed, but the President and the Secretary of
the Navy have failed to comply with the de-
nand. Upon this statement Belknap urges
another article of impeachment, and it is al
legged that Gen Butler will propose such
article in the House tomorrow.
Without at present going into statement
of the views Of the Navy Department on the
facts and law in this case, it may be stated,
however, that taking Belknap's account of
the facts as correct, there is doubt of the
power of the Executive to restore him to
position, &c. and that this legal point is in
volved in several military cases now under
consideration.
Gen. Grant has furnished the President
with copies of the correspondence between
the General-in- Chief and General Hancock,
relative to the removal of civil officers in New
Orleans, and in which Gen. Hancock asks to
be relieved from the command Of the fifth
district. General Hancock also teIegraphs
to the President the hope that no representa-
tons of parties in New Orleans will prevent
the Executive from relieving him, as his
usefulness as commander of the fifth district
has been impaired and his action paralized.
''No action has been taken in the matter
by the President, but it is not improbable that
the request to be relieved will be granted
and General Hancock be placed in command
of the Department of the Atlantic.
Hon. VIM. S. Groesbeck, who has been
here in consultation with Mr.. johnson as
legal adviser in the matter of impeachment,
leaves tomorrow morning for his home in
Cincinnati. All the counsel of the President
have not yet been selected, but Jugde B. r
Curtis, of Massachusetts, and David Dudley
Field, Of New York, have been regularly re-
,taincd.