The New York herald., 1868-04-02

| senate having decided
that General Thomas and the President being In con-
matter, the declaration ana act Of the former were
the 2Ist OF February General Thomas said II am 60
| ing up tomorrow morning to break down the door
| the next morning about halfpast eleven, but
| in much miider manner than he had
is mere talk, because he meant nothing by it. Why
didn't he go up the next morning with the Mary
land militia or the virginia II mi ,,,n militia Or with portion
he did not the declarations mean nothing. II was
desired to show that afterwards Mr.. Burleigh asked
General Thomas "Why did You ask me to 90 to see
the performance and give you my countenance, and
i didn't come or; what's the reason" and that
was l. got arrested and held to ball. and did not
dare to-" Was 1t not perfectly competent, then to
show what prevented the outbreak OF civil war ?
that it was not the President by coconsplrator nor
anything OF that sort but that 1t was the fortunate
intervention rir Of the tribunal Of Justice.
Tne CHIEF JUSTICE inquired whether any Senator
desired to call for decision by the Senator There
being no response he overruled the objection.
The question was repeated to the witness.
Ing General Thomas, he talked over the question.
Thomas said the only thing that prevented his taking
the United States Marshal Witness did not recolect
what he said to Thomas.
business with General Thomas at his first interview
at the War Department prior to his appointment as
restored to his position as Adjutant General; saw
there number Of heads OF bureaus and their Clerks
could not name them; could not say who came in first;
General Williams present; Thomas addressed
each OF the heads of bureaus and clerks separately
four or five OF them making nearly the same address
to each; could not give the exact language, but 1t
was to the effect that he had come back to assume
the duties OF the Offices that he was glad to see them
that he proposed to relax somewhat the arbitrary
rules Of the Office; that he did not wish to hold them
to such strict accountability that he expected them
to discharge their duties and that was all he cared
Office, he had returned to the Office OF Adjutant
Generals did not understand that Thomas gave any
npdAr hAo<la
ments connected with the Adjutant Generals office.
q Did you hear or see anything improper at that
Or IN mat the ase Ma
TESTIMONY OF SAMUEL WILKINSON.
Samuel Wilkinson sworn. Direct examination by
=. g Do you know Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant Gene
@. How long have you known himY A. Between
Six and seven years.
Q. Have you had any conversation with him rela-
tive to the change in the War Department II SO
state as near as you can when it was A. had a
conversation with him respecting that change on the
O. What time In the day9 A. Between one and
two O'Clock in the afternoon.
Q. Wherep A. The War Department at his Office.
Q; State what took place at that interview. A.
asked him to tell me what had occurred that morn
ing between him and the Secretary Of War in his
endeavor to take possession of the War Office; he
hesitated to do so till told him that the town was
filled with rumors of the change that had been made
affair had become public he felt relieved
speas SS 70 me wn IT freedom @ about IT. he drew
President of the United States directing him to take
possession OF the War Department Immediately he
General Williams, and gone up into the War Depart
ment and had shown to Edwin M. Stanton
by virtue Of that order the possession of the War De-
partment and Its books and papers; he told me that
n M stanton ns after reading s; the order had
gather together his books, papers and other personal
property and take them away with him; that he
to do so, and had then withdrawn; he further
told me, that day being Friday, that the next
veisary Of washington's brit birthday, When ~" he % had
directed that the War Department should be closed;
that the day thereafter would be Sunday, and that
Monday morning he should demand possession Of |
the War Department and its property, and il that
demand was refused or resisted that he should
sufficient to enable him to take possession
OF Of the War Department; and he added that he did
obey his command for that force. lie then added
that, under the order which the President had
course than the one he indcated that he was sub.
ordinate officer, directed by an order from superior
bd see HIM and SaSe any con-
versatlon with him on the subject' A. did, SIR
8. wheref hn "a" A. mat At wiliard's ' Hotel. ioesis
q. What did he say thereY A. He then said that
he should next day demand possession OF the War
Department, and that II the demand was re-
sisted he would apply TO General Grant
for force to enable him TO take possession, and he
also repeated his declaration that he could not see
how General Grant could refuse 10 obey that demand
for force.
@. Were these conversations earnest or otherwise
ON MS partf A. DO you mean by earnestness that
he meant what he saldS
O. Yes. A. Then they were in that sense earnest.
Crosse xamination by Mr.. STANBRRY:-
Witness stated that he had been Journalist by pro-
Washington during the sessions OF Congress for the
last seven years; that Thomas said he had issued
order to close the War Department on saturday; did
whether It was issued by him as Adjutant General or
Question by Mr.. BUTLxR-State whether In either
OF those conversations he said that he Secretary
Of War; A. Yes sir. He claimed to be secretary Of
War.
TESTIMONY OF GEORGE W. EARsENKR
George w. Karsener, sworn. Direct examination
by Mr. Butler-was 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
at the Presidents House, In the East Room,
about quarter after ten O'Clock In the evening:
supposed he would recognize MIN which ne did. but
could not remember hi. name; gave Thomas his
name and told him he kne Y aim miay years ago, as
well AZ his father and brother; se said he was
Delaware boy, and witness said. ..He asked
me what We were dong n Delaware, acd dony
GENERAL. the eyes Of Delaware Are on you.h
Usuphter.l told him that DE aware would reanrc
him to stand firm he said he would: he wa stand
ing firm (aughterl. and wouldn't fIsapDoint hi
friends; and In a day or two, or three days or a
short time, he would kick that fellow ont
tLanghter.l
q. Anything further SAID A. yes sir: there was
something further said, II recoiect rxnt repeated
would be-laughter-he saii need not dive myself |
any concern about that; he was gong 70 remain !
frm ana Kick that fellow oui-taGgh'erl-he didn't
mention any names, but witness thought he referred
TO the Secretary OF War;
Cross-examina'ion by Yr. s,anberr-was not |
certain when he had seen ThomA. before that occa.
sion; saw him In Newcastle long after le left West |
Point; saw him on the street.
o. In wicn Of the streets an You seo himy A. /
Wei, there are not many streets in Newcastle. |
(Laughter.)
q What part OF the street thenf A. In the mid. |
die OF II. tLaughter.l Witness could not recoect |
whether he was walking or standing.
u When did YOU ever speak % him before that |
timer a. Name the time - can't.
Witness was further cross-examined IN regard 10 |
the interview with General Thomas at the presidents
ievee, ms eccentric manner and responses creating
bursts OF laughter on the floor as well 40 i'm the |
galleries. "