Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-11
THE UNION AND AMERICAN.
IMPEACHMENT BRIBERY.
correspondence Between senator
Ross and MIR wendell


UNITED STATES SENATE CHANRRps
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-Cornelius Wendell
Esq, Washington, D. C-Sir: The Gin
cinnad Commercial OF the 25th Decem
y Der contains report of an interview al
legged to have been had with you bv a re
porter Of the San, in which YOU are re
presented as having said, in speaking OF
the trial OF the Impeachment of Andrew
johnson, that there were three Republican
Senators that would vote for acuuittal
from conscientious convictions: that those
three were Senators Trumbull, Fessenden
and Grimes; that somebody was supplied
very literally with more substantial argu-
ments TO induce the other four votes, and
there is every reason to believe those argu-
mcnts were the influential cause of the
votes being given as they were, and that
most Senators have a confidential man
who attends to these little outside argu-
raents for them.
As these statements charge, by Unmis-
taxable inference, that my action in that
cause was induced by a money considera-
ton, | am constrained to take notice of
them, and 10 ask you the following ques-
tions:
/. Did you make the statements attIib-
uted TO you-the words of which are par
tally quoted above!
2. Have you any reason TO believe that
money was paid TO me by any person in
Consideration Of my vote for the acquittal
of Mr.. johnson, or that that vote was in
duced by improper influences of any ma
tUre whatever?
3. Have you any reason to believe
that any person received money with the
understanding or expectation that my &C
ton in that matter would be influenced
thereby, and if SO, who?
4. Have you any reason to be-
ieve that any person was offered money,
or any other consideration, with the un-
derstanding or expectation that my action
would be influenced thereby, and, if so,
what was the consideration?
As this matter has again been brought
prominently to public notice in the pre-
tended revelations attributed to you, |
shall seek redress in tbe Courts, if neces-
sary.
trust you will answer these interoga-
tories fully and explicitly. You must see,
as do, that il is due to myself and the
public that you should divulge all facts
IN your possession, and even ground for
suspicion, that have any relation what
ever 10 myself
Very respectfully, your obedient serv,t,
T. G. Ross.
REPLY OF Mr.. WENDELL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. D, lS7O.-To Hon. |
E. G. Ross :-SIG: Yours of this date is |
received. In reply to your first query |
unlnsitatingly reply in the negative. To |
your second, l would state that | have no |
reason TO believe that any money was !
paid you in consideration of your vote, or |
that any improper influences were exer-
cised to procure it. My belief is directly |
TO the contrary. To your third, / reply |
that. l have no reason to believe that any
person whatever received money with the |
understanding or belief that il was to be
used in. affecting your vote. My infor-
nation and belief is the reverse. To
your fom Ia and last inquiry, state that
Perry Fuller was offered several thousand
dollars, with the expectation that he could
influence your action in the premises
l state further, that Fuller declined |
receiving the money, replying to the offer
that he could not accomplish anything
Herewith, and that your action on the
question of Impeachment could not be af-
fected thereby
Very respectfully, yours,
c. WENDELL.