, 1876-08-13

TO- tnat was precisely this: In speaking
OF telegrams, and for the purpose Of showing
lace and yet how innocent might be its nature,
said Col. Stevens had told me he once re-
| ceiVed telegram from Gen. Babcock in Wash
9gt9n MSch ,e.d wh be sstevepf Tas in st. Louis
here!" The Colonel said On its face and with
| out explanation that
! MIGHT LOOK VERY BAD,
but that he had Il day or two before, be being
railroad manager, and hearing that the Presi-
| dent and his party were coming to st. Louis to
attend the opening Of the St. Louis bridge on
| the Fourth Of July, telegraphed Gen. Babcock
| to know when the President would reach there,
and how many would his party consist Of, and
] 1t was in answer to this that Gen. Babcock sent
took occasion, in compliance with Mr.. VIII
sons request, to speak to the President in
relation to the bottom or top letter. In my in
terylew with the President showed him copy
and explained to him that l had compared it
Interpolation; and gave him the explanation
which Wilson had given to me. The President
exhibited considerable feeling in regard to the
letter, and didn't appear to regard the ;W. II. :"
| as important It was the general tone
Of the letter to which he objected. I sug-
gestcd ke should send for Wilson, see
the letter-presE copy himself, and hear the ex-
PLANTATION from Wilson himself, as l did not
want to be the vehicle for transmitting explana-
tions. Now, want to say here that l made
this call on Wilson from motives OF kindness,
hoping to do him an act OF Justice, and the
only reward have received thus far is to have
my name drawn into an unsecmly discussion
III reference to matter about which know
little or nothing, and care still less.
Mr. Plaistel-You may state what the fresl-
dent said.
Witness-The President was annoyed by the
letter, and looked upon it as very disrespectful,
as an effort to SIT spies upon MIN during his
visit to st. Louis.
Mr.. PIasted-1 should like to have just what
the President said about it.
Witness-l cannot trust my memory to recol-
1cct the exact language used.
Q.--Was anything said about Wilson'S re-
moyal! that he ought to be removed, or any
thing OF that kind!
A.-The President said Wilson ought to be
removed, and that was what led me to ask that
hc might send for Wilson.
Q.-Statc what the President did say on that
head.
A.-His manner and his language left the I'M
preston on mc that he was going to remove
CR05s-ExAM1NATION.
In the cross-txanination, Gen. Porter was
asked: Did the President at any time after this
say anything to YOU about Wilson havin:: given
him the conversation between yOu and hlnl
{Nlaop} about this Sylph dispatch!
Ale did not. The President never said to
me that Wilson had msde to him this state
ment as related in his testimony.
Q.-Do you know Of the President having at
any time spoken OF conversation with Wilson
in regard to your explanation OF that Sylph -
telsSraml If so, what did the President say,
and what are your means Of knowlcIge!
Witness first declined to answer tho question,
but finally said "The President made no state
ment to nc or in my hearing, and anything that
may have heard in the way Of rumor as to
what the President said must decline to state
in evidence"
In answer to the question, :: Did you hear
anything from anybody, and if SO from whom,
in regard to the matter!" witness said hebcard
about it
From E. A. STOKR9,
who said the President said that thea statement
made By Wilson in bis testimony was incorrect;
that Wilson did not recite this vulgar slander
to him; that he commenced to say something
about an improper woman, and that the Prcsi-
dent stopped him instantly and did not permit
him to recitc or discuss the matter.
William b. Moore, Special Treasury Agent,
contradicts in his testimony the statements by
Wilson concerning him. Among other things
le denied ever having even stated he saw Gen.
Babcocl1 received letter from Joyce.
The Committee have adjourned further ex-
animation Of the whisky frauds until the next
session Of Congress.