New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-13

To whom it may conceTn
The undersigned does hereby make the fol
lowing voluntary statement of facts coming
within his knowledge in vindication of the
character of Edwin W. Devices, Esq, at pre-
sent a member, of the House of Representa-
tives of the State of Louisiana; gentleman
whom l have known for some years In the
SUMMER of 1866. while l was engaged in the
provost marshal general office in the city
of New Orleans, he was charged by mali
cious parties who were politically opposed
to him. with having influenced some cOlOred
men to commit depredatiOns upon
the dwellings of certain citizens, upon
which charges were trumped up against
him before the grand jury and sent to the
First District Court. | was member of
the jury before whom it was tried, and
more groundless case l never witnessed; in
fact there was no evidence whatsoever to
prove the charge, in consequence of which
the man was honorably acquitted by unan-
imous verdict of the jury before leaving
their seats. | make this statement freely,
in justice to the man, and, if necessary,
will prove its correctness before any tribu-
nal OF Justice
Given under my hand, this thirteenth
day OF December, 1869, at the city of New
Orleans, Louisiana.
RICHARD B. EDGEWORTH.
Captain Sanitary Metropolitan Police
Force.
BUREAU OF RzFrGEEs FREEDMEN AND AEAsDoSEp)
Lands. State OF Louisiana, ,
New Orleans, January 20, 1867
Hon. VI. P. Kellogg Collector OF the Port of New
Orleans louisiana
SIR have the honor to introduce to
your favorable consideration and notice the
bearer. Mr.. Devices, formerly connected
with this bureau in the provost marshal
1'S ptY ont n, of nm n
integrity and honesty. l take pleasure in
presenting his request to you for position
in connection with your department, and
ask, as an especial favor, that he may be
furnished with employment by you, should
there be any vacancies, or as soon as one
may occur. My reason for making this re-
quest is based upon the following facts, viz:
Mr.. Devices, while in the discharge of his
duties, having come in contact with the
civil authorities OF this city, was arrested
on charges of the most serious nature and
confined in jail, the occasion of which
arose more particularly from the faGk of
his being connected with the FreedM6n's
Bureau.
After being confined in jail for several
months without being permitted a hearing,
his case was finally. after much useless
delay, brought before the First District
Court, Judge Abel presiding, who acted
throughout the trial in a most vindictive
manner, endeavoring by every possible
means to crush the unotfending party, evil
IDENTIFY, from his remarks, on account of
Mr.. Devices having been an emplOye of
this bureau.
The accused was, Notwithstanding all
efforts to the contrary, honorably acquitted
of every charge, the jury not leaving their
seats, there being not the slightest evidence
brought against the accused to substan-
tate one single charge.
Mr.. Devices course while connected with
this bureau was commeDdable, and he has at
all times given satisfaction to those with
whom he was connected. To be thus sub
ected to such understandable and uncalled
for treatment, purely through prejudice, is
great injustice to Mr.. Devices,
and | make this statement to shield him
from the ISLANDERS and gross attacks which
have been made by those who would en-
leavor to brand him with the name of
criminal
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient |
servant, A. BAIRD.
Brevet Major General United States VoIun-
teers, and Assistant Commissioner, State |
of Louisiana. |
NEW ORLEANS, MAY II, 1868.
This is to certify that have no knowledge |
II the portrait of E. w. Devices being |
aAen and placed in the ''Rogues' Gallery |
Turing the time that l had charge of the |
police of the city of New Orleans
JOHN BURKE,
Late Chief of Police.
NEW ORLEANS, February IS, 1870.
o whom it may concern
L certify that l have known the Hon. E.
v. Devices for several years, and that dur
ng my administration as chief of police of |
he city OF New Orleans, his likeness or pic
4re never appeared in the gallery of nota-
les under my surveillance, nor do know of
ny reason whatever, why such a.rumor
hould prevail. This l am willing to testify
required.
j. j. WILLIAMSON,
EX-Chief Of Police.