Year: 1876

never suggested anything Of the knd and that any
such letter existed it was fat forgery


He further related to the committee that Horace
Porter the Presidents exsecretary, present here
in Washington taking part IN this matter and urging
the dismissal OF Wilson on the ground that detectives
had been placed by his orders upon the steps Of tho
President OF the United States. Feeling ran
very high the matter in the outset and
before Major Wilson's explanation the resignation of
both Secretary ana Solicitor seemed imminent Horace
Porter visited tho Solicitor and charged him with this
writing, whereupon the solicitor took from his desk
letter press copy and showed him that forgery had
been committed by inserting the letters Nv. H." for
White House in that phrase where General Henderson
informed that this conspiracy must DO exposed
from top to bottom. The words 'White House, were
so inerned as to cause the letters to convey the i'm
preston that the term Whte House, used to ind
cate the President Major Wilson, in company with
Tho Secretary took this letter book, called upon the
President, and showed him plainly that the intcrlnca
ton forgery, and SO far as the President
cerned tho explanation was, OF course satisfactory in
SO far 1t related either to Major Wilson or tho Scc-
rctary


The letter seemed to be a deliberate attempt TO break
down the Solicitor by deliberately forging an addition
to the letter Tho parties to this transaction clearly
Mcdonald, Babcock aud Horace Porter Major
Wilson further stated that Horace Porter in hts inter-
view, attempted to explain the "Sylph" despatch of
General Babcock by stating that the term .'sylph,'
had been used by himself, General Babcock and
Mcdonald and that II bad its origin in the fact that
Major Mcdonald had at time rid the President OF
the presence of q who went by that name and
who, In ST. Louis, had attempted to trouble
him and blackmail him. HIS examination will
continue The sensational statement which
has the country charging solicitor Wilson
with attempting to abstract papers when he left the
Tron Z
for the purpose Of breaking the effect OF facts
which be might be compelled to testify to before
committee which has summoned him. Tho main facts
IN reference TO this matter are tnese:-Whcn Major
Wilson left tho department he instructed his
private secretary and another gentleman, who had
charge of all the confidential papers connected with
whiskcy frauds to 20 through all the papers in connec
tion with this matter ana separate his private papers
from them and pack the private papers for shipment
at such time he might send for them This box
left the Office OF the Solicitor OF the Treasury and
had not been sent for up tho time OF Major Wilson's
| arrival here under the summons Of the committee
Hc then went to tho Treasury for his papers, and
the first instance he informed that they would DO
sent his ut the hotel IL then asccrIaircd
the original OF Barnard's letter could be found
and as had been among the papers MAYOR Wilson'S
| desk, II supposed that 1t might be in that box
ana Of this he was Informed, and informa-
ton given as reason why his papers
| had becn sent promised He
| thereupon wrote letter to the Solicitor, saying
that he had not packed these papers, giving him the
names OF the parties who had and asking him to send
for them aud that they should open the box,
all the papers which 1t and send him such
i
Solicitor declined to do, and subsequently considerable
| controversy the possession of the box,
Major Wilson declining to have IL opened except in
presence OF the Presidents son, for reasons which he
desired to state to young Grant. After n subsequent
explanation to the President of Tor this desire
the papers examined by Solicitor Wilson, in tho
presence of the Assistant Solicitor and other gen.
semen and when the examination completed the
| Barnard letter had not been found


Solicitor Wilson then finding the package OF papers
which contained some private and confidential notes OF
his the President in regard to matters OF tho
frscoe pnn Idanca hn had al IN
convcrsed with tho President, opened this packet,


which had been taken by his secretary wholly per-
sona CONFIDENTIAL ana in that the Barnard letter
was found and turned to the Acting Solicitors
| No other papers Of consequence were found mixed
with Major Wilson's, except some rough drafts OF tcle


grams connected with whskcy matters full copies of
| which had been spread upon the records


While this is nr from full history of the transac


ton It is sufficient show that there nothing what
ever in II rejecting upon Major Wilson, AMI If the
charge against him IS persisted in full details OF tho
affair Will appear, most credable to HIM, and prove
cecdIngy cnbarf assiug to those who be
| using the circumstances for tho purpose Of making n
false attack upon him.


| THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUs-A DISCUSSION ON
THE REPEAL OF THE RESUMPTION ACT-A
VOTE IN ITS FAVOR BY A MAJORITY IN At


TENDANcE-CoMPIAINr OF THE PUBLIC
| PRINTEI.


| The democratic caucus this evening came TO no
conclusion. it was very slimy attended, there


being but sixy-nine persons present out


of party strength Of 10 The silver bill


was not brought up all The discussion concerned


resolution repeal the resumption date. On this


there wcro n number OF speeches. There was


some lively sparring and the conclusion the repeal
| resolution adopted by 45 to ~ The resolution
has, however, force regards the action OF the
| House, and II is held certain that OF
! repeal will be passed by the House.


There general disposition in the caucus for
! early adjournment Of Congress. but complaint
adc Of the action of the public printer who has, II
charged been della, ing the printing OF some of the
and thus obstructng the business Of Con-
gross