The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-04-25


BELKNAP's REPLICATION TO THE ARTICLES
OF IMPEACENlENT-HEA ACCUSES HESTER
CLYDfER OF AN ACT OF BAD FAITH-HE
PROMISES NOT TO HPEACH IF BELKHAP
WOULD RESIGN-THE EX-SECRETARY DE-
MES COMPLETELY IN THE POST-TRADER-
SHIP FRAUDS-HE SAYS HE UNTRUTH-
FULLY ADMITTED GUILT TO SHIELD HIS
WIFE. 800. 1. !, ~. -.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-Belknap, in re-
plication, makes general denial OF the
points. In the case, he says, the committee
had examined one Marsh, and he had made
statement to said committee, which said
statement, if true, would not support the
articles OF impeachment against him; but
which statement was OF such character IN
respect to other persons, some OF whom had
been, and one of whom was, 80 nearly
connected with him by domestic ties as
greatly to afflict him, and make him
willing to secure the suppression OF
so much of the statement as affected
such other persons at any cost to himself.
Therefore he proposed to the committee
that if they would suppress that part OF the
statement which related to said persons he,
though contrary to the truth, would admit
the receipt by him Of all the moneys stated
by Marsh to have been received by him
from one Evans, mentioned in the state
ment, and paid over by Marsh to any other
person or persons; but the committee de-
clined to accede to the proposition, and the
Hon. Hester Clymer, chairman OF the COM
mittee, then declared to Belknap that he
(Clymer) should move in the House OF Rep
resentatives, upon the statement OF Marsh,
for the impeachment OF Belknap, un
less he should resign his position as
Secretary Of War before noon OF the next
day-to wit, March 2, 1S76-and Belknap,
regarding this statement OF Clymer as an
intimation that he could by thus resignlnS
avoid the affection inseparable from pro-
tracted trial in a form which would attract
the greatest OF public attention, and the hui
initiation Of aYailing himself OF the defence
disclosed in the statement itself, which
would cast blame upon said other person,
Yielded to the suggestion made by Clymer,
believing the same was made IN good faltn,
and that he would by resigning his position
as Secretary OF War secure the speedy
dismissal of the statement from the pubic
mind; which statement, though 1t involved
no criminality on his part, was deeply PAIN
full to bis feelings, and he did resign his po-
sition at twenty minutes past ~ O'Clock IN
the forenoon Of the I'd day OF March, 1876,
and at II O'Clock in the forenoon Of the same
be notified of his resignation and Of the ac-
ceptance thereof by the President; all OF
which was in pursuance and in consequence
of the suggestion. made by CEmer, and
thereuDon the committee declared that
they had no further duty to per-
form in the premises. Belknap sub
mits that while the House Of Representa-
tiyes claims that Mr. Clymer was acting on
its behalf in the pretended examination OF
Marsh, the House ought in honor and in law
to be estopped to deny that the said Clymer
was also acting on behalf Of said House in
suggesting the resignation OF him, the said
Belknap, and ought not to be heard to COM
plain of a resignation thus induced; and
this he (Belknap) is readyto verify. Where
fore he prays Judgment IL the House Of
Representatives ought to have, or maintain,
the Impeachment against him. lj::f =
THE BRIsToW INVESTIGATION.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-The vote by
which the investigation OF Secretary Bris-
lows connection with the release OF the
vessel Mary Merrett was transferred to the
Committee on WAYS and Means having
been reconsidered, the investigation is now
progressing before the Committee on Ex-
peniiitures OF the Treasury Department
Mr.. DristoW insisted upon having the
names OF parties who furnished the informa-
ton, claiming that it was an effort on the
part OF the whiskey ring to break him down.
The committee held that it was unimportant
whether the witnesses belonged to the whis-
KEY ring or not, so long as they told the
truth. Mr.. Bristow furnished a list OF wit
nesses he desired to have summoned, and
the tinvestigation was adjourned.
s 10, = i WASHINGTON PTEais. =.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-The Elections
Committee gave further hearing to the
sub-committee; in the Spencer Us: Morey
case, from Louisiana, and WillYOte w ednes-
day. Both reports concede that Morey Is
NOT entitled to the seat; but the minority
claims that the seat is vacant, while the ma
iority report gives the seat TO Spencer.
Akerman was before the Committee on
Eypenditures Of the Department OF Justice
TO-DAY. He, acknowledged having given
Davenport certain sums OF money from the
secret service funds, but when asked
whether he did so by direction OF the Pres
ident he asked for time to frame his answer,
and the committee djourned till Tomorrow.
Mr. Voorhees, continued his argument In
the Kilbourn babeas cotpsts case to-day,
holding TINT the House bad exceeded us