Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-04-05
THE BELKNAP CASE.
Return of Caleb p. Marsh and Wife to
Washfngton-Thefr Testimony Before
the Congressional Committee.

Return Of Caleb p. Marsh and Wife tn
Washfngton-Their Testimony Before
the Congressional Committee.
Mrs. G. P. Marsh arrived at Wash
ington on Friday morning, March Oath.
and came into the room of the Com
mittee on Expenditures in the War De-
partment, accompanied by her hus-
band. She was sworn as witness, and,
under examination of Mr.. Danforth,
testified that she left Cincinnati in
1865, where she formerly resided, and
has lived in New York most of the
time since that year. She had known
Mrs. Bowers, now Mrs. Belknap, since
1860, and had been at the same hotel
with her in Cincinnati four years. Gin
cinnati was her home, and she revisited
the city twice year, staying there two
or three weeks. She met Mrs. Bowers
in New York, where Mrs. Bowers was
her guest. Mrs. Bowers was a widow
at the time. The witness commenced
housekeeping in New York in the sum-
mer Of III. She went to Europe in
company with Mrs. Bowers the last of
June, '72, and knew Mr.. Pendleton's
name was on the LIST of passengers.
She was asked if she had any converse
ton at any time with Mrs. Bowers, now
Mrs. Belknap, relative to her interest
in the Kentucky Central Railroad claim.
The answer was. "Two or three weeks
ago at the Arlington Hotel" At that
time the witness asked Mrs. Belknap
whether she ever received any money
on account of the claim.
Witness told her she heard she re-
ceived $4,000 Mrs. Belknap replied
the claim was for only 100000, and
how could I receive $4,000? During
that conversation witness was in a state
Of excitement and distress. Mrs. Bel
KNAPP was friend of hers, and witness
felt much interest on her account. She
had simply mentioned to Mrs. Belknap
the idle rumor. She had always talked
to Mrs. Belknap as she would to her
sister. She had heard the rumor for
over q year. She related to Gen. KID
doc the conversation between her and
Mrs. Belknap. She did not know of
Mr.. Pendleton's paying any money to
Mrs. Belknap on account Of the Ken
lucky railroad claim, or of making her
presents. She never heard the Secre-
tary Of War say anything about con-
tract between her husband and Mr..
Evans.
On cross examination by Mr.. Rob-
bins, the witness said she understood
Mrs. Belknap as denying that she re-
ceived anything and meant to convey
that impression.
In response to question by Mr.. City,
mer, witness said she saw Mr.. Clymer
but once, and that was three weeks
ago. 1t was at the breakfast table at
the Arlington Hotel. Her husband
presented her to Mr.. Clymer, and a
short conversation took place, which
had ne reference to coming before the
committee.
G. P. Marsh was then recalled, and
Intercepted by Mr.. Clymer. He tes-
tilted that he left Washington for New
York the day the impeachment report
was presented, and didn't design going
to Canada.
Q.-On the evening of Wednesday
you came to my lodging and saw me a
moment. Tell what transpired.
A.-From something said at the
dinner-table,I inferred that Belknap
was not only liable to Impeachment,
but to criminal prosecution. said to
you, eff the Secretary is in danger,
am in danger" when you said, "Oh
you are not in danger"
Mr.. Clymer.-I didn't attempt to
alarm.
A.-On the contrary you pacified me-
/ was alarmed when [ came to you.
[ went back to New York easy, when
you said | was notin danger.
Q.-When you reached New York
what was it that induced you to con-
clude going to Canada
A.-Something in the newspapers of
Friday morning, concerning my testi-
mony, all Of which was published. I
read the remarks in the House, that
the Secretary Of War was not only
liable to impeachment, but to criminal
prosecution. therefore thought if
the Secretary was in danger, I was in
danger, as well. [ consulted a lawyer,
who made an extensive examination of
the case. The lawyer did not think I
could be indicted, but if | should be [
could not be convicted. My counsel
said there seemed however to be some
danger. This very much alarmed me,
and determined me not to remain in
New York. [ left only in the after
noon of Friday, for Montreal This
was the first time I heard it said that I
had committed an ofense for which I
might be imprisoned
Charles Kingsley's Moral Courage.
From the London Saturday Review.
When Mr.. Kingsley was Professor of
History at Cambridge, we had occasion