The Portland daily press., 1876-03-07
BELKNAP.
Rumors that He Meditated
Flight.
His House Securely Guarded.
THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACH-
MENT PREPARED.
BELKNAP.
sc Securely Guarded.
Rumored Attempt at Escape.

RumOred Attempt mt Escape'
New YORK, March Gone Washington
special says that Gen. Belknap ana ms wi.e
were trying to leave Washington and escape to
Bermuda, while other correspondents assert
that the late Secretary was simply placed IN
der surveillance and his mouse thoroughly
guarded by police. On being notineo or ms
being placed under guard TO prevent escape. it
is stated that Belknap burst into tears and said
he had not endeavored 20 escape.
Another statement as to Belknap's proposed
escape is that he was to 60 down the Potomac
River board Norfolk steamer bound to Bos-
ton, take an English steamer at Boston and
thus reach Belgium. But the Attorney Gener-
al was too quick for him.
Suspension Of Judgment Asked.
The Evening Post has the following: I am
in possession of facts which satisfy me of the
entire innocence of General Belknap of the
charges Eimputed to him by the various news
papers. The said facts can only emanate now
from him in his trial His lips by necessity
are closed meanwhile. 1t is therefore but just
that the public should suspend judgment until
his evidence is given in defence.
A CONNECTION OF THE FAMILY.
The Criminal Prosecution.
WASHINGTON. March 6.-Should the grand
jruy meet with any embarrassment in obtain
ing the necessary evidence to frame an indict-
ment upon, the arrest of Gen. Belknap will be
made without the Indictment. Several per-
sons have visited Gen. Belknap to assure him
or their sympathy In his troubles
This afternoon, Judge Smell of the police
court received note from District Attorney
Wells saying that Belknap would not be ready
to appear in court to-day with him and ask
ing that his case be allowed to stand, and this
arrangement has been agreed to.
Belknap will remain in the custody of the
court officers and will have his hearing to.
morrow.
The Flight of Marsh.
New YORK, March Ga Washington
special says the facts about the escape of
Marsh are as follows:
Mr.. Clymer discharged him as witness and
ordered his fees to be paid, SO that he went to
Montreal as freely as any American citizen
might go. The discharge of the witness was
made against the protest of Mr.. Bass, mem
Der of the committee, on the day Marsh went
away, as is stated on excellent authority Mr..
Clymer was informed by the the secret service
officers that Marsh had made preparations to
go to Canada, and that he could be detained if
it was desired but Mr.. Clymer declined to take
any action.
George HI. PendIeton Denies that he ever
Paid Money TO the ex-secretary.
MIR. Sayler of Ohio, while sitting today as
chairman of tie committee of the whole, re-
ceived the following telegram from Hon. Geo.
CINCINNATI, March g.
To Hon. Milton Sayler and Hon. h B. Ban
ming, House of Representatives:
Ii the article IN yesterday 8 capital In rela-
| ton to the payment of money to Mrs. Belknap
| to secure the payment of claim to the Bowler
estate Or to the Kentucky Central Railroad re-
| fers to me, pronounce the story utterly false.
| have telegraphed the committee, asking that
they shall Investigate Immediately this matter,
and permit my examination at the earliest mo-
| ment Enforce my request Please see that
| my full, emphatic denunciation of the story in
all its aspects goes through the Associated Press
| dispatches GEO. I'll. PENDLEToN.
| Ehe Impeachment Articles Prepared.
The Committee on Judiciary this afternoon
completed the Belknap articles of impeach-
ment. They are twenty in number, specifically
stating the varisus amounts of money received
by him at different times from Marsh. The ar.
ticles are founded on testimony of that witness,
but as be has fled the country the committee
will tomorrow, when they report, move its ref
| erence back to the committee so that further
testimony may be taken to strengthen the case.
| Some days may elspse before the articles will
| be finally acted upon by the House and present
| ed to the Senate. The committee will not act
in haste, as they wish to present case that can
| be maintained before the Senate. They charge
Belknap with having violated section 1881 Of
| the Revised Statutes, the penalty of which is
| Imprisonment for not more than two years and
a fine of not more than $4,000.