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Washington, April 24, 1868

[[underlined]] Browne, A. K. [[/underlined]]
Agent &c

Forwards report of [[underlined]] Thomas Wilson [[/underlined]], Esqr, Actg. Attorney for hire in the case of [[underlined]] Wesley Bond [[/underlined]] charged with horse-stealing & tried before the Criminal Court of Prince George's Co., Maryland, at the April term 1868.

[[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] was arrested by Officer [[underlined]] Arnold [[/underlined]], M.P. near Fort Baker D.C., & put in jail to await requisition from Gov. of Maryland, Feby 5. Application was made for writ of [[underlined]] habeas corpus [[/underlined]] which was heard by Judge [[underlined]] Cartter [[/underlined]], & the defendant discharged because no copy of information, affidavit or indictment was filed on which to base an argument. The same day of his discharge he was rearrested the former errors being corrected and was taken from the District and to Prince Georges County before Mr [[underlined]] Wilson [[/underlined]] was aware of it. He would have endeavored to procure his release on the ground of his not having been a fugitive or fleeing from justice and believes he would have been successful. The form of warrant has been changed since then and it now requires a separate order for rendition, so the same thing cannot occur again

He was put in jail Feby. 13 at Marlboro' & remained till Apl 13

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when an indictment was found against him.

Mr [[underlined]] Wilson [[/underlined]] was aided in the defence by Shelby Clark, Esq.

Knowing there was a prejudice against prisoners & witnesses of his [[underlined]] (Bond's) [[/underlined]] color he sought to obviate it as much as possible by suggesting a trial by the Court composed of Judges Ford and Magruder.

No objection was made. No technical advantage was asked or taken on either side. All legal evidence was admitted without objection

Prosecution
[[underlined]] Thomas Walker [[/underlined]] testified to owning a horse worth $30. He was stolen from his home below Piscataway, P.G. County. He was recovered by Officer of Police. He lives 16 miles from Navy Yard Bridge.

[[underlined]] E. G. Arnold [[/underlined]], M.P. saw the horse in possession of Mrs Christmond — took him — Mrs [[underlined]] Christmond [[/underlined]], bought the horse of [[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] paying $35. therefor. Asked [[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] to sell her a horse — keeps grocery — [[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] trades with her — owes her nothing — always paid cash for his purchases — on his arrest returned her $30 — had spent $5.

[[underlined]] — Farrell [[/underlined]], was in Piscataway on Jany 27, (day before the theft) — saw a man in the store buying crackers and cheese — says [[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] is the person.

Defence
[[underlined]] Thomas Bond [[/underlined]], saw accused the day before the theft at 9 A.M. 2, 7, 12 P.M. was at his house. Tuesday morning rode a horse he had owned a year, away — returned in about 3 hours with another horse — stated that he had traded for him —

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afterwards sold the horse to Mrs Christmond

[[underlined]] Mary Bond [[/underlined]] corroborated the foregoing.

[[underlined]] Kitty Thomas [[/underlined]] (mother of accused) testified substantially as two preceding witnesses.

[[underlined]] Peyton Randolph [[/underlined]] & Frank Forter testified to having witnessed a portion of the transaction by which [[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] got the horse. They were returning from work — saw two men in road trading horses — saw saddles exchanged — [[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] was one of the men.

[[underlined]] Arnold [[/underlined]] was recalled by prosecution & testified to the prisoner having said while in Station house, that he slept 3 miles from home — had traded for the horse — no one saw transaction.

State's Attorney did not argue case.

Mr [[underlined]] Clark [[/underlined]] spoke a few moments. Case seemed plain enough, but in direct opposition to the evidence.

[[underlined]] Bond [[/underlined]] was declared guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary. Cannot account for such a strange verdict on any other ground than the color of accused, and witnesses for him.

Nothing more can be done in the case — There is no hope of a pardon

(Six inclosures).