Year: 1868

uOHcfcI, tHc HuOC lulue VIII UO SlSoteu uP do oia
trial progresses. It will be shown that not onl
didn't authorize Thomas to use either threat o
force, but that in fact, warned him against both
and told him to proceed cautiously and quietly AM
in presence of witness Of course they can
hold me responsible either for what General Thorn
as said, or for what he did, independent of my or
ders. Suppose I ordered Thomas to 60 to NeV
York on business, and that he went down to tn
rail road depot with company Of soldiers ant
seized a train to take him there, would be re
sponsible for that act simply because had order
ed him to New York? Certainly not, and neithe
am responsible for what he did or said outsid
of my orders in the matter of the War Office


Further on in the conversation the President ex
pressed disappointment and regret in the appoint
ment of Thomas; but he thought all the trouble
arose from the fact that Thomas got refreshed
over his promotion, and felt so big at the idea o
being above everybody else in the army that HI
hardly knew how to contain himself. He though
that the fact of his being found at masked bal
that night explained good deal of it, and was it
self an explanation of Thomas elated' condition


GENERAL EMoRY's TESTIMONY.


asked the President if he had read the testi
mony of General Emory, given that day, (Thurs
day.. eyes," he said, che had just finished tht
reading of it in the afternoon paper as I came in
swell, what do you think of it?'' said I, adding
that Emory seemed to have considered himself {
very important person in the conspiracy, and ont
to whose patriotism and integrity the country was
much indebted. "Yes," said the President, 'ano
there is where he makes great mistake. He talkI
as if had sent for him to advise with him, and tt
discuss constitutional questions with him, when
did nothing of the kind. IF had been in need
of constitutional adviser, I'd have sent for some
body else. The reason sent for him was this:
was told that morning. on very good authority
which I could not well disregard, that important
changes and movements in the troops about Wash
ington had been going on without my knowledge
or advice. I had been told that Stanton had beer
giving orders, as if to get ready for disturbance
here, which he seemed to anticipate, and during
which he proposed to make it an easy matter fol
somebody else to step in and get possession Of the
Government I didn't know how much truth
there was in it; but Secretary Weles had called
on me, and insisted that should take some notice
of the matter. So sent for Emory, and ques


toned him about the disposition of the troops here
merely to find out if these changes had been made
and if so, by whose authority. He over estimated
his own importance, and thought wanted to con-
suit him on another subject, and discuss constitu'
tional questions with him. When Secretary WeDes
is called to the stand, he will very readily explain
why sent for Emory. AS to the other conversa'
ton with me- which Emory details, it had nothing
to do with the trial at all. He speaks of himself
as objecting, in very patriotic way, to the Mary
land militia, because they wore grey uniform
He introduced that subject himself I never ask
ed him word about it. But he makes it appear
that I wanted to use the militia Of Maryland tol
some purpose or other. l never made sugges
ton of the kind to him. Here again he would
make me appear as taking him for one of my con
6dential advisers, which I never had the remotes
idea of doing My object at that time was to fine
out how many troops there were in the depart
ment and to know whether the colored troops who
were about the city couldn't be replaced with white
troops. thought it BEST after the war we hao
gone through, that white troops should be here in
stead of black ones This is the seat Of Govern
ment and foreigners are coming here all the time
IF they saw none but black troops here, they might
get the idea that the rebellion was put down by
them alone, and that they were on duty here be-
cause they were better troops than the whites.
have no prejudice against negro soldiers at all bu
I thought if white troops were to be had they
would be better for the garrison of Washington
that's all. And out of that little matter Genera
Emory, without stating the real object Of his con
versation with me, makes a big story about gray
uniforms and rebel militia.


THE CIRCLE SPEECHES.


I said to the President that they would com
mence the testimony on the last articles, or thos
relating to his Cleveland and St. Louis speeches
tomorrow, and asked him if he denied the correct
ness of the reports of those speeches. as presented
to the Court. Yes, lie said he did, and he denied
above ALL the right to introduce mere extracts from
long speeches, omitting the context, and saying
nothing about the circumstances under which they
were delivered. As for the Cleveland speech, hi
said, II did not intend to make any speech there
all. My intention was to come out in response tt
the call of the people; and excuse myself and thel
retire But as soon as I appeared some people ii
the crowd commenced to boot at me, and question
me, and badger me, and thought I'd goin ant
silence them. have been in political life lonl
time and am naturally combative. Idon't 'tpropos
to be hooted down by anybody, and especially


didn't propose to be hooted down by set of mel
sent out for that purpose, as these fellows were a
Cleveland and elsewhere. So they went for me
and I went for them, and we had it hot and heav
for while. They would listen to me for while
but kept interupting me to prevent me from say
ing anything. I was determined they shouldn'
succeed, but that since they didn't want to let m
speak, I'd speak anyhow. And kept on until


got the better of them, and after short time the
listened to me in perfect silence. If [ used an


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