New-York tribune., 1873-02-20

tv,ny witness not remember disclosing 10 ci'A'i
Mr. Dawes or Alr. Bartlett the conversation between
h,pself and Mr. Harlan about the $4,000. Charles H.
Crane of New-York viii be examined tomorrow.
MR.. COLFAX'S LAST DEFENSE.
AN UNsATIsFACTORY ATTEMPT TO PATCH UP HIS
FORMER sTATFMENT-MI. AMEs VERY IN
CREDULOUs, AND MANY OTHERS AGREE WITH
''' IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WAsHrNGToN, Feb. 19.-The unfortunate discovery
In Mr. Colfax's bank account Of two checks from
George F. Nesbitt of 81 900 each, one dated IN April
1868 and the other in July, made II necessary !or
him to make q supplemental explanation AT Ills
request Judge Poland called his Committee together
again this morning. Three members only, Messis.
Poland. McCreary, and Niblack, attended Halt
dozen correspondents were present, and Oakes Ames
oceupied his accustomed seat at the Committee table
Mr.. Colfax came with his LAWYER Judge Hale, VINO
took kindly all the blame on himself for his client
coneealment in his former testimony OF the import
ant fact of the receipt of the checks. MI COIia4
stated that he received $4,000 from Mr.. Nes-
bitt during the year 1868; a check tor SI'OOo
dated April Il; bank bill OF $1,000 received some
time in June; a check for $1,000 dated July T.
and third check for the same amount received ID
November. lie produced the three checks ana the
letters accompanying these received III April ana
July. but said he could not hud the one that III
closed the Sl,OOO OIL, OI tHc OAO 04"H'-'''-'7 '
November check.
From Mr.. Nesbitts letter it would appear that he
was An eccentric man with plenty of money, who
took a strong personal liking to Mr.. COlfax. and
having the idea that no could get on IN politics
without money wanted 20 help his favorlte states
man by liberal contributions TO aid IN paying his
personal and political expenses.
Mr. Colfax begged the Committee 10 investigate
all his expense account for 1868. but Mr. Poland de-
elined Mr. Ames asked Mr.. COfax a few questions
and said it was singular that the SlOOO Olu made
such a strong impression on the mind OF the wee
President and his family that they talked about 1t
all the way ont to Colorado, while it appeared that
they never mentioned the checks. Mr. Ames be-
heves that the $1,000 bill story 4 fabrication, and
that the money which the members Of Alr. COltaxs
family remember to have OF heard Of was the
first check which came IN April, OF the second one
received in July and there many less preudlced
persons who hold the same opinion.
The session Of the Committee ended with state
rnent from ex-senator Fowler. who came all the way
from his political grave in Tennessee to say that he
never owned any Credit MOblller stock and that he
refused it when Mr.. Ames offered 1t to him.
he EXPLAINS HIS REMITTANCEs FROM MR.. NEs-
BIrr-wHEN THEY WE'RE SENT, AND How
CORROBORATING EVIDENCE.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHI
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.-Judge Poland's
Special Committee held a special meeting thismOrnlng
20 hear additional statement Of VicePresdent Col
fax who was present with his counsel. Judge Hale Mr.
Ames was present, and occupied seat directly op
posite the Vce-President. Judge Hale said swshed
~ state To the Committee that when Mr. Cofax
upon the stand the 11th inst the immediate question
before the Committee related TO the deposit of June D.
He examined him solely the source from which he
Cr COlfaxl obtained that money. AT the time he had
full knowledge OF remttances from Mr.. Nesbitt which
Mr. Coliax would explain. and submit the letter from
Mr. Nesbitt Mr. Hale said H. Influenced In this
course mainly cOnne that testimony 70 the point
issue and again. the letters somewhat OF prl
vate nature did want TO bring them before the
public Mr Colfax desires TO lay these letters be
Committee, and answer any questions the Com
mittee may desire
Mr. Cofax then read several letters from Mr. Nesbtt
consratulatory in their Two Of them inclOsed
checks for $1,000 COlfax further testified that he
received $1,000 inthe aggregate from Mr. Nesbltt $1,000
before the nomination, after the nomination, aud
1900 in November. He understood Mr.. Nesbitt had
been contractor TO furnish stamped envelopes for tie
PostOGice Department but witness had nothing what
ever with aiding him 10 get such contracts, as ey
were made at the Post-Onice Department upon the
mendaton Of aboard appointed by the Postnas-
ter-}ener,,l
Mr.. COfax after reading the letters OF Mr. Nesbtt,
stated that the first one the In Apr
expressly personal The 1000 bill in the con
ratulaOry letter Of June Tor political purposes, ana
the check in the letter OF July He then pro
duced the draft Tor $1,000 dated June 2 the same day
that deposited the IN bills which draft he had
to and Endorsed Chairman Of the Indiana
Republican Committee, ami another draft dated July
u.s. which lac had sent 10 and ndOrsed by the
Chairman for the 81 go sent him by Nesbt for political
purposes that month stating that drafts circum
stantay proved the two remittances June and July
and their dates He then read the following affidavit
adding that although hs statement, as published and
testified ~ by hun, had. for reasons stated by his
counsel referred only the s. 900 june the gentle
man showed his memory was that Mr.. Cofax had told
him OF both these political remttances Of Nesbps:
stat, Of Indiana S. Joseph Co: RicketsOn Burroughs
citizen Of South Bend IN said county and State, being
duly swOTn depOses follows: During the summer o
1855 after the return Of Mr.. COlfax from Washington
consultation about the approaching political campaign.
D. COfaxl related 10 me the circumstance OF his having
pse the acquaintance old gentleman New York
CITY by the name SesDitt that nc NesbtD stated
Mr. C0fzx that neither he nor his friends wanted any
office. In common pI.ancc Le AaC no axes ~ grind
and he abundance Of means for himself ana family
and wished II Mr. COfax would accept % ocstOw part
~ nls u04ih Ia such manner - would assist dr. Col