The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-10-15

lawyer named by him had been giving straw bail for
the vessel would do my best TO bring him mp for
It, Olksmith paid for TIE dinner and We left.
Mr.. Woodford continues at great length to explain
his various suspicious actions which led to the
ordering of the investigation by the Secretary Of
OF the Interior, and denies the charges OF collision
in a rambling way too dinuse for publication. The
sun OF his testimony IL that, although he may have
acted like fool he never had tie slightest inton-
ton Of being kuavc.
The sEcRETAnY OF THE iNrrRioR's OPINION
The Secretary OF the Interior in passing ON the
case, says. (page 2iD:
Toe appointment Of the father In law OF Mr. Wood.
ford as an appraiser upon Mr. WOodiOrd's nomind.
ton, coupled with tie apprasoment made by lin at
sum so low as to excite surprise and remonstrauce
on the art OF MI " Ood'Oid. was calculated to cN-
cite suspicion of an aitemnt 10 have tbe vessel dis
charged upon an insufficient bond The additional
TACT that MIR Woodiord on three several occasions,
dined with Oaksmith, who wac interested in the
discharge OF the vessel, while tho proceedings were
pending, was well calculated 20 add to that
suspicion, and anori a sufficient excuse COR
the opinion expressed by Marshal Murray that
"soMErHISG WAS WRONG"
The whole evidence. however, affords n sufficient
explanation Of these facts, and satisfies me That
MIR. Woodlord has acted IN the matter with strict
integrity.
JuoRe shipman, in his report Of the case to tho
Secretary of the Interior, helped that gentleman to
form a conclusion by stating:
The result Of our investigation ia that we
satisfied that there has been no coiluson corrupt
understanding whatever between officers OF tie
Government In New York and parties concerned IN
We think we have oted all the poiuts in the evl.
dcnce that call for remark, and 1t gives US un.
feigned pleasure 20 submit an unqualified JUDGMENT
that no Official corruption OF misconduct has been
proved against any one.
As JUDGE Shipman does not note the fact that the
proposition TO allow woodford's Gatler.in-law to
arurnisa tp Aupusta aiouc wntls Mr. gtacL tha
other appraiser, was out Of the city, from Oak
smith Himself: nor that according 70 woodfori's
own testimony, he CWoodford) had been retained BY
oaksmNh,
4 sLAvE-rRADtNG PIRATE,
in private matter, nor that, through Woodford's
dilatoriness In issuing process the Augusta was al
lowed 10 escape, notwithstanding Marshal Murray's
noteworthy zeal to secure hcr-we cay as judge
shirman fails to note these points ia the evi
donce," It's plain that In his judicial mind they
"dld not call for remark" The way that Judge
Srman notes points In the evidence may be seen
by this specimen. In lis OF inon (pago ~ tie learn
ed Judge says:
With regard 70 tho circumstance Of Nr. Woodford's
dining with Oiksmith. think II was an indscreuon;
but tie explanation Of Mr. Woodford is satisfactory
to my mind ard ] think entirely Vindcatcs him
rom any improper nottves.
1t is Lo mere than fair TO Judge shipman to say
that 70 Ear as We know, he las himself never been
accused OF collision in this case.
We should add that woodford had entire control OF
the Of the Augusta while the Hon. f. Delaneld
Smith, the District Attorney, was confined to his
hosse by sickness and that Mr.. Smith was not
spc, -t6s for any Of woodioid's "indiserc,ions,"
bat. on Il; tontrary did everything In his power to
protect the IN ,rests OF the Government. and to
su press the slave tra:- II WAS through his pro
;essionsl and Official exer,. >Gs that Gordon, the
slave trad er was convicted In tiSs city and executed
on ledloe's Island for his crimes