National Republican., 1884-05-16
GEN. SWA1M'S REPLY.
What His Chief Clerk Testifes in Regard TO
Its Preparation,
IL Was Written Before the Secretary
Letter Was Received.

In the Swain court of inquiry yesterday
two witnesses from the war department were
examined by the defense. They were Mr.
Ferry, clerk in Gen. Swaim's office, and Mr..
Mcdonald, chief clerk of Gen. swaim'e
bureau. Mr.. Ferry's testimony was confined
to q narration Of efforts made by him at Cen
Swaim's request to secure settlement OF the
differences between Gen. Swain and Batoman
s. Co. In tho matter Of tho accounts between
those parties He said he had gone over the
statements furnished Gen. Swain by Bate
man g. Co., and statements prepared by Gen.
Swain, and finding that they did not agree
had asked Mr. Bateman TO go over his books
with him. This, ho said, tho latter promised
to do but nevor did.
On cross.examination tho witness said he
had seen Mr.. Bateman three or four times
and made general complaint about tho
differences in the accounts, but had never
complained of any particular transaction.
lie had not been instructed by Gen. Swain
to object to any particular itom.
MIR. Joseph Mcdonald, chief clerk of the
Judge advocate generals bureau of the war
department, was examined as to the dato OF
Gen. Swaims absence in the west in the fall
of 1882. When counsel had asked the wit
ness one or two questions, and ho was about
to leave the stand, Gen. Sackott opened new
branch of tho inquiry by asking him when
tho letter from the secretary of war, calling
Con. Swaim's attention to the charges made
by Mr.. Bateman, was received ut tho judge
advocates Office. lie said 1t was received at
noon on the 18th of April.
Mr.. Chandler then examined tho witness
as to the receipt OF this letter by Gen. Swain
and tho Endorsement with which the latter
returned IL to the secretary. Witness said that
q draft of what was aftdrward made the
Endorsement on the secrotary's lotter was pro-
pared by Judge Swain early III the morning,
before the secrotary's letter WAS received, and
was given to him (witnes5) to copy. Ho could
not say what was Gen. Swaim's intention IN
preparing this statement, he (Swaiml had
not informed him, he had not told witness
to uso the copy, ho directed him to make
for any particular purpose Gen. Swain was
not in his Office when the sccretarys letter
came, but witness sent out for him.
On redirect examination witness stated
that the Endorsement on tho scCretary's letter
signed by Gen. Swain, was almost literal
copy OF tho statement prepared by Gen
Swain on the morning before the letter
came.
Tho defense ut this point rested their case
stating that they had one other witness tC
examine with reference to the DAutru
claim before closing, but that he was not II
the city, aud by permission of the court they
would call him later.
The judge advocate thon announced thn
tho court would call Mr.. Myron NJ. Parker
the real estate agent, and Mr.. j. Stone of til,
war department. Mr.. Chandler then called
Nr. Bateman in rebuttal. The witnes
stated that the difference between the state
ment prepared by Gen. Swain, of his nc
counts with Batemap q Co., and tho account
furnished Swain by tho firm, was tina
Swaim's statement did not mention fiv
transactions in stocks shown in Bateman 4
Co.'S. statements. Those transactions wer
purchases and sales OF stocks on Gen. Swain
order, on which there had been losses. Ii
produced his books and pointed out tn
entries of those transactions. Ho showed
them entered on tho purchase and sales bool
and ON the ledger, and submitted tho lette
press copy books, showing that letters ha,
been written to Gen. Swain notifying hin
of these transactions.
When Gen. Swain testified tho other day
he said that the statement of his account
which ho had had prepared, and which di
not agree with those Of Batemau & Co.. wa
made up from the notices received by hil
Bateman q Co, of his stock transactions
Mr.. Bateman yesterday submitted copy /
the letter press copy-book of ono notice sen
Swain Of two transactions-Ono in Pacif
Mail and one in Central Pacifc--only one
which. that in Pacific Mail, appeared on Ger
Swaims statement. Pending the examine
tion of this witness the court adjourned.