The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-02-18
BABCOCK'S TRIAL.
IeStImOny OI UOOu CHaracters
The Presidents Deposition,
THE DEFENCE CLOSED.

b. e.
the trial of Gen. Babcock this morning, num-
Der of witnesses testified to the character of
the defendant Gen. w. T. Sherman testified:
81 am General of the army of the United
States: have known Gen. Q. E, Babcock init
mately; have known him since 1861, but my
better knowledge of him dates from the time
he brought me despatch at Savannah from
Gen. Grant Since then L have known him al.
most constantly. His reputation has been
very good. l have never heard it questioned
cock hundred times in the Executive Man
sion. Those who go to see the President see
Gen. Babcock first and perhaps accomplish
the object of their visit without seeing the
President. Gen. Babcock also opens letters,
distributes them and answers ali except the
most important He is a kind of an intermedi-
ate between the PEG pie and the President
Testimony as to good character was also Civ
en- by Gen. James 81. Simpson, Gen. W. s.
Harvey, Capt. S. Babbitt, Gen S. B. Sturges
and Hon. A. E. Borie, ex-Secretary of the
navy.
At this point ex- Governor Fletcher was put
upon the stand and identified several letters
from BabcOck to Joyce as those placed in his
possession few weeks ago by Mrs. Joyce
Only one of these letters was road at this stage
of the trial. 1t was dated March II, 1874, and
directed to Joyce in San Francisco. 1t IS in
reply to Joyce's message to Babcock: "Tell
Douglas to call off his scandal hounds Sc"
and informs Joyce that there are no charges
against Ford, and tells him that he believes he
(Joyce) was sent to San Francisco because of
his high standing with the commissioner.
The following is the Presidents deposition as
filed in the U. s. Circuit court in the case of
Gen. Babcock. In the Circuit court of the U.
S. Eastern District of Missouria the United
States, VS.: Orvile E. Babcock, transcript Of
stenographer's notes ofathe deposition of U. s.
Grant for defendant taken at Washington Feb.
IL, 1876.
How long have you known Gen. Babcock and
how intimately?
have known him since 1868. We first met
during the Vicksburg campaign. Since 1864
have known him intimately.
Q-Pease state in what various capacities he
has been employed and what positions he has
held since 1868?
A-From about March, 1864, to the 4th of
March, 1869, he was adecamp on my military
staff. Since that time up to the time of his in
dctment he has been acting as my private sec
rotary and in addition to that for several years
he has been superintendent of public buildings
and grounds.
Gas your private secretary please state
what were his general duties.
A-His general duties were to carry all the
communications from the President to Con-
gress to have charge and supervision of all the
correspondence, particularly of official corre-
respondence and in bis capacity OF private sec.
rotary he read my mails, opened my letters and
read them. In regard to many OF them he
gave directions to the department without refer
ence to me and such as required any dictation
from me he submitted to me.
Oils relations with you were confidential?
Avery.
Q-Do you know whether during the period
of time that Gen. Babcock has been your pri-
vate secretary he has been frequently applied
to by persons throughout the country to lay
their special matters before you or before the
various departments. Counsel for the prose-
cuton objected to the question as irrelevant and
incom Detent to the issues in the case.
A-That was frequent and you might say
daily occurance.
DIN what manner, so far as you have OBJ
served, with reference to the public interest
has Gen. Babcock discharged his duties as your
private secretary? [Objected to by counsel for
prosecution as immaterial and irrelevant
Al have always regarded him.as most eff
cient and most faithful.
Care you acquainted with the general
reputation of Gen. Babcock in the city where
he mas been among his associates and his ac-
quaintances in the army and elsewhere for
honesty and integrity?
Al suppose that might say that have
been acquainted with his general reputation in
the army and where he is known, where he has
lived. Elsewhere I do not know anything
about it but l suppose myself to be acquainted
with the reputation he has in the army and in
this city.
Q-Now state if you please what his general
reputation is and has been.
Il AdNO oiW ayo ouPpoSOu ~ " UO SOous ~
twelve years of intimate association with
man gives ose an opportunity of judging what
other people think of them, l certainly have a
good opportunity not only of knowing his char
acter myself. but of knowing the reputation he
sustains.
Q-And from these opportunities what has
been bis reputation.
A-Good.
Q-Were you acquainted with G. W. Ford of
st. Louis in his life time, and what, if any, pO-
Sit - h.h oI1 ott To 81 ~ hic daoth
Alt was intimate. 1 was acquainted with
Mr.. Ford first in the state of New York, when
was lieutenant in the army. He was
young lawyer living in the same town where
was stationed Then from 1854 to 1860 we were
both living in st. Louis county, and our rela-
tons were intimate from 1854 up to the day of
his death. He was connected with the United
States Express Company in st. Louis. From
1869 (but will not be sure about that to his
death he was collector of internal revenue of
the first collection district of Missouri.
Estate what, if any, applications were
made at the time of his deeease as to the APP
pointment of his successor. (Question objected
to by counsel for prosecution as immaterial, ir-
relevant and incompetent)
Alt will be impossible for me to remember
all of the applications that were made for the
place. l do remember, however, of Gen. Bah
cocks bringing me despatch that was address,
ed to him from Jno. A. Joyce practically APP
plying for the place. OBJECTED to by counsel
IOr prosecution unless tne teieSrau 10 pro
duced
Q-Have you that despatch?
Al have not.
Q-Do you know where it is personally?
A-No. suppose it could be found. Think
very likely that either Gen.. Babcock's counsel
or the district attorney of St Louis has it.
Q-Were there any requests or commu-
nications with regard to the appointment of
Mr. Ford's successor emauating from his
sureties?
[Objected to by counsel for prosecution as
immaterlal, irrelevant and Incompetent
A-When Gen. Babcock showed me that
despatch from Jne A Joyce l said to ham that
Mr.. Ford having died very suddenly and away
from home should be guided largely in select
| ing his successor by the recommendations or
wishes of his bondsmen; that thought they
| were entitled at least to approve the appoint
ment of the man who sshould go into Office.
ANSWER objected to by counsel for prosecu-
| ton on the ground that it is incompetent for
| the witness to state conversations between
himself and defendant of the nature given
Q-What did you ultimately decide to do
with reference to the appointment, and to
| whom if any one, did you decide to leave the
naming of his successor.
[Objected to by counsel for the prosecution as
| irrelevant and Incompetent
A-That was answered ia my answer to the
| previous question.
Q-Whom did the bondsmen actually rec.
| ommend.
OBJECTED to as incompetent and irrelevant. ]
| A-Constantine Mcguire.
Q-And whose recommendation exclusive.
| ly was he appointed.
Al could not say on whose recommendation
| exclusively. He was we'll recommended and
| satisfactory to the bondsmen of Mr.. Ford 3.
| (Answer objected to by counsel for prosecu-
ton unless the recommendations if in writing
| are produced.)
Odd Gen. Babcock ever in any way, d.
rectly or indirectly, urge or request or seek to
influence the appointment of Mr.. Mcguire, or
did he ever exchange word with you on the
! subject which indicated that he desired his ap
pointment. lObiected to ON the ground of ir-