Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-07
BeIknan Case.

The principal witness, q. p. Marsh, has gone
to Montreal, where he was yesterday joined by
bis wife, and hey will probably spend the sea-
son abroad. The impeaoh meut managers have
prepared twenty articles, charging the ex-Se-
oretary with various high crimes and msde- !
meanors, but 10 the absence illegal proof they
do not care to present them to the Senate. tn
the meantime they have set 10 work to look up
additional proof The result Of the impeach-
ment will depend entirely on whether they hnd
auy available evidence or not.
| The Baltimore American, says: When the
House first directed articles Of impeachment to
be prepared it was the Intention of MIR. Bel
knap to interpose no plea of justification, DUG
the fight of Marsh has placed the case 10 new
light, and he now, it is understood, determines
to plead not guilty, and take the chances OF le-
gal technicalities t. save himself. 1t is belleV-
ed that the judiciary Committee has been ad-
yised of this, and hence do not deem it wise to
present the case to the Senate without the hope
that the accused will plead guilty. They have,
therefore decided to take the safer course OF
re.opening the case and inviting other testl-
nony upon which to frame successful prose-
cution. Mean while it is hoped that Marsh will
return-tbat is if the bill converting his case,
and which will guarantee him freedom from ar
rest, should he conclude to again reoross the
Canadian border, shall be passed. 1t will be
reported in the House to. morrow. While 1t
does not sngy mention him by name, 1t pro-
vides that no criminal action shall be Instituted
against auy person the basis of which shall arise
by reason of any evidence which may have been
elected before Congressional committee. Ii
after the passage of this bill he don't come, it
will be quite clear that his absence s not so
much 10 his own interest as it is in the interest
of the fallen Secretary.
1t is also said by some of the members ofthe
Judiciary Committee that Marsh can easily be
induced to return from Canada if he is wanted.
The committee fad that there is statute OF
lS6l-oDe Of Secretary Stewards devices for
E procuring Information of consplraces at the
beginning of the war-which guarantees i'm
munity from prosecution to inforners in cases
where the Government is interested, and
, where the nformer, 10 order to convict his &C
complete. has to confessJh himself guilty ofcrlme.
Upon this statute the committee claim that
they can protect Marsh or any other intormer.
The residence OF ex Secretary Belknap is still
guarded by the Metropolitan Police, there be-
ing no intention OF relieving it from surVell-
lance. Two officers remain inside of the house
= night and day. Two others are stationed 10
| IL no ~ %
are 10 position Immediately in front of the
house Neither MIR. Dor Mrs. Beknap has
appeared in public since the disclosure. They
have but few callers except their legal advisers.
The Baltimore Sun says: 1t is stated by tho
: secret service officers that the plan arranged
by parties in completely with Gen. Bekuap to
D fleet his escape from the city, but Tor the
: timely discovery, would have in all proba-
b,y been brilliant success and the
prosecution of this high offender been set
at bought. A fast sailing yacht had been
secured and was to cruise IN the VI
entity. OF Point Lookout on the north shore OF
the Potomac river, and at the confluence OF
that stream and the Chesapeake bay. 1t was
then proposed, at suitable moment, for the
ex-secretary in disguise to leave his residence
, under cover of the night, to take carriage
drawn by feet horses, and to leave the city
road the distance from the yard to
Point L okout is about sixty miles. Reach
ing there it Was pro .,osed TO embark again
under cover of the night Once aboard the
YACHT detection would have been impracti-
cable, as hundreds of vessels of similar
class are constantly playing up and down the
Potomac river and Chesapeake Bay. 1t was
then proposed to pass out OF the bay under
cover of darkness. Once clear of the capes it
, was arranged to set sail for the island Of Ber-
muda
A young man uamed J. A. Brown, who was
arrested 10 St. Louis, last Saturday night, by
order of the Congressional Committee on Ex-
penditures of the War Deptmeot, says Evans
& Smith paid SIS 600 annually for the Cheyenne
agency, aud Evaus & 20. $40 900 for Fort Sill.
EIe corroborated the reports regarding OrVille
Grants connection with Belknap, and says
Evaus 4 Smith obtained the Cheyenne agency
from Grant; that Grant represented BeIknap
10 the disposition of ,utlershps, aud when he
c"uld not get his price for them be would stock
them with goods and ruo business himself.
He kept himself thoroughly posted regard
ing the business done at the various posts, aud
: no trader could deceive him by misrepresenta-
tim. He always knew, therefore, the exact
vllue of each post, and made suffers come to
1
sons who could give valuable information re-
garding post traderships. and wruld be willing
to do so, but for fear Of being prosecuted
themselves.
Hon. GEORGE H. PENDLEToN.-In the
teegraph.c co uun Of yesterday s Gazette allu-
sion was made to report current 10 Washing
too of the probable arrest Of a prominent DEM
ocratic candidate for President for otferiog
bride to The Secretary Of the Treasury.
Hon. Geo. H. Pendletoo. OF Ohio, 10 teIe.
gram to Representatives Sayer and Banning.
| says:
IF the article 10 yesterdays Capital 10 rela-
ton to the payment Of money to Mrs: Belknap
TO secure payment of claim to the Bowler es-
tate or to the Keolucky Central railroad refers
to me pronounce the story utterly false. |
have telegraphed the committee asking they
shall investigate Immediately this matter and
permit my examination at the earliest moment.
Enforce my request. lr.
The statement alluded to was to the effect
that Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton was instrumental
10 getting claim through the War Depart