1523

27

Answer. I heard one of them, George O'Brien, say he had
given aid and comfort to the enemy—Hiram Tasker and

West.

17th Interrogatory. Do you know that Tasker and West
were in the Southern army; and how do you know they were
enemies?

Answer. I do not know they were in the army. I know
them to be enemies by report and by expressing to me senti-
ments favorable to the South.

18th Interrogatory. Do you believe any expression of opin-
ion is treason ?

Answer. I don't know.

19th Interrogatory. Do you know of your certain know-
ledge why the eight aforesaid persons are not as loyal as you
or I?

Answer. They all refused to take the constitutional oath,
and some of them have had, in my opinion, creditable testimo-
ny against them, and some have uttered unbecoming lang-
uage against their country and their country's interest.

20th Interrogatory. What do you give as a definition to loy-
alty ?

Answer. A firm adherance to the Constitution of the Uni-
ted States.

21st Interrogatory. Do you know of any overt act of trea-
son committed by any of the eight persons mentioned above ?

Answer. I do not.

22d. Interrogatory. Is not what constitutes loyalty a mere
matter of opinion ?

Answer. It's a hard question to answer.

23d Interrogatory. Did you or not ever give any aid or com-
fort to the so-called Southern Confederacy, by feeding desertde
soldiers, or by sending supplies, writing letters or giving in-
formation to the enemies of the United States, of any kind
or description whatever.

Answer. If I did, I don't know it.

SAMUEL W. FRIEND.

There being no further testimony to be taken, under this
commission, by either side, the undersigned closed the same
finally, and hereto sets his hand and seal, this 7th day of
January 1867.

J. M. STRONG,
A Justice of the Peace in and for

Allegany county.