5.

those armies." Lamar then said:  We had
already sent enough men North to do the
work, and that we were prepared to follow
at once, but that we required more funds
for the execution of our plans when
we should get North. Mr. Davis then said:
"General Winder will see that you receive
"all that you require." Some instructions
were then given by the President, and
General Winder, to Wright, in regard to
detaining the persons who had heard
McCullough's disclosures. After a little
more conversation with the President,
in which he assured us of the great
importance in view of the operations
of Grant about Vicksburg, and of Meade
who was forcing Lee back upon the
Capital — of our proceeding in all haste
to the execution of our project, we left.
General Winder supplied us with some
money, and gave Lamar a letter of
credit to a firm in Baltimore, to enable
us to draw what funds we should
[*6899*]      [*143*]require while North. When we reached
here, we found that some of the parties
had left the points indicated for them
to remain at, and could not be found.
Several others we learned had been arrested
and imprisoned, and the situation or
position of the armies had so changed
that we found it impossible to carry
out our plans, and finally we abandoned
the project.
    Lamar returned to Richmond,
but I had had enough of the Confederacy, proceeded
north to Canada.
                John H Patten.

Sworn & acknowledged at
Washington D.C. this 24th Feby.
1866. before me
                Geo: C. Thomas
                  Notary Public.
official copy, 
    J. Holt.
Judge Adv General.Deposition
of
Geo H Patten
CopyThe Deposition of Sarah Douglas, taken
at the Office of the Bureau of Military
Justice, in the city of Washington on the
6th day of February 1866.

The deponent being duly sworn,
deposes as follows:
Question.  Where do you reside, & of what
state are you a native?
Answer.  I am a native of Virginia, & have
resided in Canada since the summer of
1864.
Question.  Are you acquainted with Clement
C. Clay, of Alabama; if so, where, & under
what circumstances you have known him?
Answer.  I first met Clement C. Clay
at the Clifton House, Niagara Falls, in
the summer of 1864.
Question.  State what conversation you
then had with him, or heard him
have with others, in regard to the
purpose of the rebels to take the life
of President Lincoln?
Answer.  Mr Clay, at the time mentioned,
[*6900*]            [*144*]came into the parlor, at the Clifton
House, where I was sitting, & a Mr Stone,
as I now recollect, who was from the
South, asked him, if he had any good
news? & if he had secured a peace yet—
referring as I understood it, to the informal
conferences, which were then believed to
be going on at the Falls. Mr Clay replied
that he had got a piece of Yankee
independence. Mr Stone asked how was
that? Mr Clay answered: "Father Abraham
says, if we will abandon slavery & every
thing else we can then come to Washington
& talk about peace." One of the ladies
present then spoke, saying: "Mr Clay, do
you then abandon the idea of securing
peace?" He replied "It looks very dark now,
but we will make one more effort, & if he
does not make peace with us, he had
better make peace with Heaven for we
will carry the war into the White House."
Mr Geo. N. Sanders then entered the parlor
& called Mr Clay out, & the conversationwas not continued.
          My next meeting with Mr Clay
was at Toronto, Canada at our own
house which my husband & myself
had taken, & occupied a little out of
the town. Our house was a sort of
Headquarters, for the confederates; where
they met & discussed their plans, for
raids, & other hostile acts against the
United States. One evening, when several
confederates were there, engaged in their
customary discussions, Mr Clay remarked
to them, that the plan they were then
discussing would do very well as far
as it went, that it would be easy
enough to put Old Abe out of the way,
but that it was necessary to make a
clean sweep of it, & clear out the Cabinet,
& General Grant & the rest. "No other plan"
he said "was worth a song." This was
in November 1864. Some days afterwards
he called again at our house, & wished
to see my husband who happened to
[*6901*]    [*145*]be absent. I asked him what news he
had. He answered he had none
except from Georgia & that was
very bad. I said "I am tired &
sick of the war & wish it was over."
He answered, "It will soon be over,
for if the boys carry on their war as
bravely in Washington as they expect,
they will soon put an end to it."  I
replied that I did not like the idea
of my husband being engaged in any
such business as that, & that if he
was to fight I would rather he would
go & fight bravely in the field — & added
that I did not see how a small body
of men could go to Washington & attack
Mr Lincoln & his Cabinet & escape with
their lives. Mr Clay answered "That will
be easy enough, if they act bravely, for
 they will be taken by surprise & not
looking for such a thing, & before they
would recover from the surprise of
the attack, our friends would escape.and besides he said, even if they were
captured, they would only be treated
as prisoners of War. He further stated
that Lincoln would hang us—meaning
as I understood the leaders of the
rebellion—as dogs, if he could catch
us, & that he did not think there was
any more harm in our taking his
life, than there would be in his taking
ours— He added that the Yankee spies
had already attempted to destroy President
Davis & family, by burning their house,
& he had reason to believe that this was
done by Lincoln's order, & he argued that
this alone would justify them in what
they were proposing to do. I expressed
the opinion that it was not a very brave
act to kill persons in this way in the
dark, without giving them any warning,
but he insisted that it was right to
kill such scoundrels in any way that
it could be done. My husband then
came in & he & Mr Clay went away
[*6901a*]    [*145a*]together. I saw Mr Clay subsequently,
but had no conversation with him.
Sarah Douglass.
Sworn & acknowledged at Washington D.C.
this 5 Feby 1866, before me
                Geo: C. Thomas.
                Notary Public.

[*official copy 
J. Holt
Judge Adv General.*]

Also the Deposition of Mary Knapp,
taken at the Office of the Bureau of
Military Justice on the 6th day of February
1866.

Being duly sworn, the deponent states 
as follows:
Question.  Where do you reside & of what
state are you a native?
Answer  I am a native of Maryland,
& have resided for several years at
Kingston, Canada.
Question. Have you known Clement C.
Clay, & if so, when & where, & under what
circumstances?
Answer. I was introduced to Mr ClementC. Clay, at the house of Mrs. Sarah Douglas,
at Toronto, Canada, in November 1864. It
was on the occasion of his calling for
the purpose of seeing Mr. Douglas, as
mentioned by Mrs Douglas in her deposition
just given in this office. Mr Douglas
was not at home, & Mr Clay remaining,
a conversation took place in my hearing,
between him & Mrs Doulgas: This conversation
is remembered by me with the entire
distinctness, & is truthfully set forth
as it occurred, in the deposition
of Mrs Sarah Douglas referred to, & which
has been taken in my presense and
hearing.
Mary Knapp, 
Sworn & Acknowledged at Washington
D.C. this 5th Feby 1866, before me
Geo: C. Thomas, 
Notary Public.

[*official copy
J. Holt.
Judge Adv General*]
[*6902*]     [*146*]Also the Deposition of William H. Carter,
taken at the Office of the Bureau of 
Military Justice on the 9th day of February
1866.
The deponent being duly sworn, deposes
as follows:
Question. Of what country are you a
native & where do you reside?
Answer. I am a native of Virginia,
& have been sojourning in Canada
for several years, where I now reside.
Question. Are you acquainted with Clement
C. Clay of Alabama? if so, state when
& where, & under what circumstances
you have known him.
Answer. I am acquainted with him - have
known him for several years in Canada.
Question. What knowledge, if any have
you of any conspiracy or enterprise formed
in Canada during the late rebellion
for the purpose of taking the lives
of Abraham Lincoln & his cabinet &
other high officers of the United StatesGovernment set forth fully all you
may know in regard to any such
enterprise, & to the connection, if any 
of Clement C. Clay therewith.
Answer. I was, in the month of November
1864, at a private house in Toronto, Canada,
with my friend John McGill, and
Captain Kennedy, who I saw from the 
public papers was subsequently hanged
in New York. He was known to be &
professed to be in the service of the
so-called confederate states. In the course
of our conversation, & in reference to
what had been previously said between
us on the subject, Capt. Kennedy proposed
that we should go down to the Queen's 
Hotel, & see Clement C. Clay. We accordingly
went down & met there Clement C. Clay
with several other men, who were personally
unknown to me. After some time Clay 
came out of the room in which he was,
with the persons named & with Captain
Kennedy, who had joined them, & was
[*6902a*]             [*146a*]introduced to us by Kennedy, who represented
us as persons, who were their friends,
& were about to enter into their enterprise.
This enterprise, as it was understood between
us, was the taking of the lives of
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
States, & his cabinet. General Grant may
also have been spoken of as one who
was to be put out of the way, — as he
was very often mentioned by the Confederates
in Canada, as one who should 
be taken off with the President & Cabinet,
but whether on the particular occasion referred
to, he was spoken of.  I cannot now certainly
state. Mr Clay said on our being introduced, 
that he was glad we were going
to enter into the business, but that it
was a very risky business — & that if we
did not succeed we might be hung.—
He said, if we succeeded & returned to
Canada, we would be rich men. While 
we were conversing together — Clay, Capt
Kennedy, McGill & myself — either Clay
or Kennedy — I cannot now certainly recall
which — remarked to us that if we succeeded
in washing our hands in the blood of
the "Monkey Abe" & his Cabinet, we would
be heroes — When about separating, Mr Clay
gave us two dollars each, to help meet our 
expenses.
             W. H. Carter.
Sworn & acknowledged at Washington D.C.
this 9th February 1866. before me -
Geo. J. Thomas.
Notary Public

[*Official copy,
J. Holt.
Judge Adv General*]
[*6902b.*]      [*146b*]War Department
Bureau of Military Justice
March 20th 1866.

Hon. E. M. Stanton
Secretary of War.

Sir:
I have the honor to submit to
you the following report in the cases o
 Jefferson Davis and Clement C. Clay, rebels,
as supplementary to the previous reports rendered
by me therein, and made proper to
be presented by the new and important
testimony recently adduced.

I. In the case of
Davis there has been added the deposition
of John H. Patten, a witness of unusual
intelligence and entirely reliable.  In this
deposition, the body of which is in his own
handwriting, he sets forth the particulars
of two interviews which he had with
[*6903*]   [*147*]Davis in the summer of 1863, at which was
discussed the plot, then pending, to seize
President Lincoln and convey him to
Richmond, with the understanding
that he was at once to be put to death
in case his rescue was attempted.  It was
at one of these occasions that there was
present also the witness Wright, the substance
of whose statements is set forth
in my report of 18th January last.  
The testimony of Patten shows, even more
fully than that of Wright, that this plot,
which was really one of assassination under
the pretext of capture, was directly
authorized and ordered by Davis, whose
language at each interview is recited,
and also that he gave specific directions
as to the manner in which the scheme
was to be executed, and proceeded to justify
it as in accordance with the laws
of civilized warfare.  This testimony, while
most important of itself, affords also a
striking support to the proof detailed inthe report of January 18th, in regard 
to the authorization by David of the 
subsequent plot of the next year which 
actually resulted in the death of President 
Lincoln.

II. In the case of Clay the 
new testimony is of the following character:-
1. The deposition of William 
H. Carter, whose evidence was adverted to 
in the report of December 6th. last as then
wanting but expected to be soon obtained.
This witness who was present at the interview 
with Clay and Kennedy in
November 1864, -- the particulars of which
are recounted in the deposition of his
companion, Mc. Gill, already presented -- 
fully corroborates the latter in his statements 
in regard to the acts and language
of Clay, and clearly exhibits the fact that
this conspirator was not only cognizant of the
plot then pending, to assassinate President

[*69039*]  [*147a*]Lincoln, the members of the cabinet, and
General Grant, but was actively engaged in
directing the details of its proposed execution.

2. The depositions of Sarah
Douglas and Mary Knapp, residents of Canada,
who detail repeated interviews — principally
at Toronto — between Clay and other
rebels at which they were present, in the
summer and face of 1864. At these interviews
Clay not only discussed the plans for raids
and other hostile acts in the interests of
the rebellion and the violation of the laws
of war, which he and his associates were
then engaged in maturing, but spoke freely
of the scheme of assassination;— in which,
it is evident, he was personally enlisted, as
he was familiar with its details;- anticipated
with confidence its successful result, and
entered upon a course of argument in its
justification as a measure of legitimate
warfare.3. The depositions of two parties; one a
citizen of Windsor C. W. and the other of
Montreal; who state that they saw Clay
several times in the month of March
1865, at Windsor, and on one occasion on 
the rail-road between Toronto and Hamilton
C. W.  One of these witnesses conversed
personally with Clay; and both detail the 
circumstances connected with their meeting
him, and are enabled, by a reference to 
cotemporaneous events to find with certainty
the dates mentioned. By this additional,
evidence, in connection with that set
forth in my reports of 6th Dec. and 18th 
Jany. last, it is shown beyond any question
that Clay remained in Canada in
1865 during the months of Jany., Febry.,
March, and April— certainly up to the 
15th., the day succeeding the murder of the 
President. Thus by the cumulative testimony
of eight reliable witnesses, to whom
probably many others might be added, the 
assertion of Clay — by which he seeks to 
[*6904*]     [*148*]disprove the charge of complicity in the 
plot of assassination, that at the date
of its execution he "had been absent from 
Canada nearly six months", is shown, as 
heretofore urged, to be wholly false.

    The new depositions thus referred 
to are hereto annexed; and though not 
needed to support the conclusive body of
proof already fully presented in these cases,
are most matinal in completing the chain
of testimony by which the compassing of 
the assassination of the President is fixed, beyond a 
reasonable doubt, upon these two conspirators. With these depositions,
the preparation of these case by
this Bureau is properly terminated; and 
inasmuch as both the criminals and the
proofs of their crime are now in the hands
of the government, it only remains for
me respectfully but most earnestly to 
renew my former recommendation
that Davis and Clay be arraignedand tried before a Military Commission.
As this tribunal — the only one believed 
to be competent to ascertain and pass 
upon the quill of these men — may
presently be ousted of its jurisdiction by 
the anticipated operation of the Proclamation
which is to declare the termination
of the state of war, there is danger that,
unless such Commission be speedily
convened, their crime — certainly one of 
the most atrocious and appalling of the 
nineteenth century — will pass unpunished.

             (Signed)    J. Holt.
             Judge Advocate General 
[*Official Copy,
J. Holt.
Judge Adv General.*]
[*6904a*]             [*148a*]Copy Deposition

June 18. 1866.

Brevet Major Gen. Joseph Holt.
Judge Advocate General. U.S. Army.
recalled and examined.

By the Chairman.
Question.—  State when and under what
circumstances Sanford Conover was employed
as an agent of the Government for 
the collection of ["of the collection") of the testimony
supposed to exist implicating Jefferson
Davis and Clement C. Clay, Jr. in the
assassination of the President, setting forth
his action as reported to you from time to
time and exhibiting his correspondence
with you while thus engaged, together
with any other matter which may show 
why confidence was reported in Conover
and in the witnesses he produced.

6905                                            149"In my previous
testimony before the Committee,
I stated that from the knowledge
derived from the trial of the assassins
of the President, of the
apparent complicity of Davis,
Clay and others, in that crime,
I felt it my duty to pursue
the investigation further. I did
so on the first opportunity that
presented itself. That opportunity
was found in the written assurances
of a man known to me under
[*1*]the name of Sandford Conover, 
and who, under this name, had 
given important testimony on
the trial of the assassins; — testimony
however which did not
bear upon the question of the 
guilt of the parties on trial as 
concerned in the actual murder
of the President, but related only
to the general conspiracy charged
to have been formed for the commission
of that crime, to which 
it was alleged Davis, Clay, and 
others were parties. This man,
[*6906*]             [*150*]             [*2*]it seems, had been a correspondent
of the New York Tribune 
from Canada, and it was through 
Mr. Gay of the Tribune — a citizen
of well-known character for 
loyalty and integrity — that he
was brought to the notice of the
government as an important
witness. After he had given
his evidence on the trial of the
assassins, from his intelligence
and apparently intimate association
with rebel refugees and conspirators
in Canada, I was
[*3*]satisfied that he had possessed
unusual opportunities for acquiring
information in regard to
their plans and movements. Hence,
when he wrote me, alleging the 
existence of testimony implicating
Davis and others, and of his 
ability to find the witnesses, and 
proffering his services to do so,
I did not hesitate to accept his
statements and proposals as made
in good faith and entitled 
to credit and consideration. 
    The first letter which
[*6907*]             [*151*]             [*4*]I received from him on the
subject was written from New 
York and bore date the 26th of
July 1865. This letter I have
now in my hands for the examination
of the Committee. In it
will be found all the details of
the assurances to which I have
just referred."

[*The letter is as follows:
  (The letter which is annexed
  to the Deposition is as follows.)*]

The next letter was also
addressed to me from the city of
New York, and bore date the 2d
of August, 1962, but evidently
[*5*]written in fact on 2d August 
in 1865. This letter refers to
the previous one, and repeats in
more general terms his former
assurances.

             In the postscript the
writer states that that was his 
"fourth letter" which he had written
me without receiving a reply. 
Whether this is true or not I know
not; but these five letters, just referred
to, are the only ones which
I received from him at that time.
  After conference with the Secretary
[*6908*]             [*152*]             [*6*]of War I wrote him to come to
Washington for the purpose of having
an interview with me in regard
to the subject matter of his
letters.   He accordingly came,
and on the 12th of August transportation
was furnished him
for a Mr. MGill from New York
to Washington.  On the 14th of August
1865, he telegraphed me from New
York— he having returned there
— that he had found McGill,
whom he had represented to be
one of the witnesses referred to, and
[*7*]that he would start with him
for Washington on the evening of
that day.       The original of that 
telegram, also, I have now in my
hand for the inspection of the 
Committee.

      Having had this correspondence
and also personal communication
with him, I laid the matter before
the Secretary of War,— to whom the
substance of the assurances contained
in these letters had been made
Known — and recommended
[*6909*]             [*153*]             [*8*]to him in view of the assurances
thus given to me by Conover, that
his proposition be accepted, and
that he be engaged as a Government
agent to collect the testimony,
of the existence of which
he professed to have knowledge. 
To this the Secretary of War assented,
and afterwards placed at my
disposal a sum deemed then sufficient
to meet the necessary expenses
connected with the investigation
upon which the agent of the government
was about to enter. Subsequently
Conover arrived in
[*6910*]             [*9*]Washington, bringing with him
the witness who called himself
John McGill, and who, on the 17th
of August, 1865, gave his deposition
which deposition I have heretofore
read to the Committee.  The very 
important character of the evidence
given by McGill confirmed the 
impression which I had previously
had of the ability of Sanford Conover
to find the witnesses, of whom he
professed to have information.
He proceeded, it is, believed, that
day or the day afterwards, south
with authority from me to make
[*6911*]             [*154*]             [*10*]diligent search for his testimony, 
and to report from time to time
to me the progress which he was 
making.   He arrived, it is supposed, on the 19th of August, 1865,
at Richmond, form which place
he wrote me on the 24th of August 
1865; --- the original letter I have 
now in my hands for the inspection
of the Committee.

                      The next communication which I received from him,
the original of which is now exhibited,was a telegraphic dispatch, dated
at Columbia, S.C. on the 1st day
of September 1865, in which he
stated that his mission thus far
had been successful, and that Key
and another witness had been found,
and that a witness whom he refers
to as "C" (meaning Campbell)
had been heard from.

     The next communication
which reached me from him was a 
lengthy telegraphic dispatch, dated
at Charleston on the 4th of September,
[*6912*]             [*155*]             [*12*]1865, in which he professed to
give the details of the investigation
in which he had been engaged, and
of the successes which had thus far
attended him. The original is
now presented for the considerations
of the committee.

The next communication
was a long letter of same date: to
wit, Charleston, S. C.   Sept. 4. 1865,
giving yet more minutely the details
of his researches and of the favorable
results which had attended them,
[*13.*]and expressing his purpose to proceed
to New Orleans.  The original
is now in my hand, and offered
for the consideration of the committee.
 
      The next communication
was a telegraphic dispatch from
Charleston. S.C. dated September
6th. 1865, the original of which, also,
is presented.

            Subsequently on his
return to New York from the
[*6913*]              [*156*]             [*14.*]South Conover wrote me at length
from that city on the 10th of October
1865, saying that it afforded him
great pleasure to report that his
efforts to find certain persons as
witnesses for the government had
been crowned with complete success,
and proceeded to detail the
testimony found, with the names
of the witnesses, stating that on the
Sunday following he would leave
for Washington with three of the
witnesses, who then accompanied
him. He did not, however,
[*15*]come in accordance with his promise,
but did [is] so subsequently.
              He arrived at Washington
about the close of October,
bringing with him two men
calling themselves William
Campbell and Joseph Snevel,
who, on the 4th of November, 1865
gave their depositions at the Bureau
of Military Justice, — which
have been read to the committee.
          On Conover's arrival here
he addressed me a note bearing
date November 1. 1865, which note
[*6914*]             [*157*]             [*16*]I present for the consideration
of the committee
                        
                          Subsequently
Conover, having gone back to
New York, returned to Washington
with a man calling himself
Farnham B. Wright, who,
on the 23rd of November, also gave
his deposition before the Bureau of
Military Justice; which deposition
has been read to the committee.
            John MGill in his
deposition having stated that a
[*17*]
man by the name of Carter
was present with him at the
interview he had had with
Clement C. Clay Jr. and
Captain Kennedy in Canada
in relation to the assassination
of the President and certain
other distinguished officials of
the United States government,
I engaged Conover to proceed
to Canada for the purpose of
finding and bringing to
Washington this man Carter,
with a view of taking
[*6915*]             [*158*]             [*18*]his deposition; and he left
Washington under a promise
that he would do so.
        Farnham B. Wright
(whose deposition has already
been mentioned as having been 
taken) having stated that a
man by the name of Patten—
whom he alleged to have been 
present with himself and others,
in an interview with Jefferson
Davis, when the abduction and,
if necessary, the assassination of
the President were discussed and
determined upon— resided in
[*19*]Saint Louis, and that he believed
he knew the street on which he
lived, and could find him and
secure his attendance as a witness.
I employed him subsequently
as an agent of the Government
to go to Saint Louis for that
purpose.  He returned from Washington
to New York, and announced
to me from there in a brief note
his purpose to proceed west immediately
for the purpose mentioned,
provided the necessary funds were
furnished, which was done.
          Among the persons mentioned
[*6916*]             [*159*]             [*20*]as present in the interview
which Wright, Patten, and others
were alleged to have had with
Davis, was a man called Lamar.
This person, Campbell, whose
deposition is referred to as having
been taken and read to the Committee,
stated he knew; that he
was in Canada, and that he believed
he could exert sufficient influence 
over him to induce him to
come to the United States and
give his testimony; and he offered
to go to Canada for that purpose.
I accordingly engaged him, and
[*21*]he left with the understanding
that he would fulfill the promise
which he had made me.  He
communicated with me from
Saint Albans, stating that he
had there heard of this man Lamar
and that he had gone to Boston.
He again communicated with me
from Boston, alleging that he had
overtaken Lamar there, and conveying
the impression that he had
consented to give his testimony, and
that they would both soon be in
Washington for that purpose.
      Subsequently I was assured
[*6917*]             [*160*]             [*22*]that Lamar, on his arrival at
New York, had refused to come to
Washington to testify, and had
left the United States for Cuba.
Still later, I have the assurance
that this statement, superinduced 
by a false representation of Lamar's,
was a misapprehension, and that
he had, in fact, come to Washington
but refused to give any testimony.
I never saw him, and whether
such a man ever existed at all,
I have no means, at present, of
certainly determining
              On the 28thof November, 1865, Conover wrote
me from New York stating that
he had not, until that morning
succeeded in seeing MGill, and
getting the necessary direction for
finding Carter.  He added that he
would leave, the next train, for
Toronto, and expressed the opinion
that he would not only find Carter
but other witnesses as well.  The
original of this letter is also presented
for the consideration of 
the committee.
 
    The next letter which
[*6918*]             [*161*]I received from Conover bore
date Montreal, December 8. 1865,
in which he mentioned that he
had found Carter at last, and
had obtained his consent to give
his Deposition.  That letter,
which contained some details
in regard to the prosecution of
this business for which he was
engaged is also offered for the
consideration of the Committee.

     Conover's next communication
to me was a telegram from
[*23*]Montreal under date of Dec.
13th, saying that he had just
returned from Quebec, and had
three very important witnesses,
and asking for some additional
funds to meet necessary expenses.

On the 20th of December he
wrote me a very long letter from
Montreal, professing to give much
in detail the very important
testimony he had discovered; the
character of the inquiries which
had led to its discovery, and the
[*6919*]             [*162*]             [*24*]names of the witnesses. This
letter, which he stated he would
send by the witness, Carter, came
to me through the mail, accompanied
by a note from Carter,
dated New York Dec. 27. 1865, which
letter with the note of Carter is
now presented to the committee.

    Subsequently Conover communicated
with me by telegram
from Albany, N. Y. on the 13th of
January, 1866, representing that he
had just arrived there from Kingston,
Canada, with four witnesses,
[*25*]and that he was expecting another
to join him from Montreal that
evening, and asking that the
necessary funds to meet expenses
and to enable him to leave that
evening should be sent him, and
promising to reach Washington on
the monday following; which telegram,
also, is presented to the
Committee

    He afterwards arrived
in Washington, bringing with him
two women, calling themselves Sarah
[*6920*]             [*163*]             [*26.*]Douglass and Mary Knapp,
whose depositions were taken at
the Bureau of Military Justice
on the 6th of February, 1866.  These
depositions have been read to the 
committee.  On the 9th of February, 
1866, Conover brought to the
Bureau of Military Justice the
witness W. H. Carter, the man in
quest of whom he had gone to
Canada.  This person, under the
name mentioned, gave his deposition
at the same place, and it has been
read to the committee.
[*27*]Subsequently Farnham B
Wright and Conover came to Washington,
bringing with them a man
calling himself John H. Patten,
who, under that name at the Bureau
of Military Justice, on 24th
February, 1866, gave his deposition,
and which has been read to the committee.

    There was nothing
in the previous history of Sandford
Conover, as known to me, to excite
any distruct either in his integrity,
in his truthfulness, or in the sincerity
[*6921*]             [*164*]             [*28*]with which he had made his
propositions to the government that
led to his being employed as an agent
for the collection of the testimony
which was supposed to exist in reference
to the assassination of the
President. On the contrary there
was much in his intelligence, which
was marked and striking, and in
his apparent frankness and his
known connection with important
sources of information, to inspire
faith in his professions & promises.
   There was much also to inspire
[*29*]this faith, in his correspondence
with me, as already exhibited,
while apparently engaged in the
difficult and responsible duty imposed
upon him.  That correspondence
was characterised by unusual
intelligence, by great variety of
detail, and by a naturalness
which seemed to protect it from
criticism; and my confidence in
the testimony was strengthened by
my knowledge that it was in accord
with and seemed to be, in a
large degree, a natural sequence
[*6922*]             [*165*]             [*30*]from other facts which had been
testified to as having occurred in
Canada by witnesses known to the
government, and whose reputation
has not been, and cannot, it is believed,
be successfully assailed.
    Under the passage of
the resolution of the House of Representatives
appointing a committee
to investigate and ascertain what
testimony existed in regard to the
complicity of Davis in the assassination
of the President, I appeared
before this committee in
[*31*]obedience to its summons, and gave
my testimony and produced before
it the depositions to which I have
referred, together with the reports
which I made, and which reports
with the opinions thereon expressed
upon the questions involved, were
based upon these depositions, and
upon the other proofs therein presented
and commented on, upon which
proofs these depositions were but cumulative,
though strongly so.

Decided however as was
my confidence in the truthfulness
[*6923*]             [*166*]             [*32*]of these depositions, I was not willing
that the committee should accept
my estimate of them, or base any
action of their own solely on that
estimate. Hence I urged — certainly
the chairman and I think
another member of the committee —
that I should be directed or requested
to bring before them the more important
of these witnesses produced by
Conover, who were believed to be
within the reach of the Government,
in order that by their cross-examination,
their bearing while testifying
[*33*]and by such other tests as they
might be subjected to, the committee
should be enabled to determine
for themselves what degree
of credit their evidence was entitled
to.

In consequence of this suggestion
of mind and of its having been repeated
and urged, I received the
direction of the Hon. Mr. Wilson,
chairman of the committee, to send
for these witnesses, of the more important
of them.  I accordingly
sent to the City of New York Brevet
[*6924*]             [*167*]             [*34.*]Col. Turner, Judge Advocate, giving
him, as I now remember it, the
names of Campbell, Snevel, McGill,
Wright, Patten, and Mrs.
Douglass, — these being the witnesses
that I had reason to believe might
be obtained within a reasonable time.
It is barely possible that the name
of Patten was not embraced in this
list, owing to my supposing him
to reside in Saint Louis, but the
most important of the witnesses
were certainly included. Col Turner,
on proceeding to New York, had an
[*35*]interview with Campbell, who has
been repeatedly referred to by me,
and in a conversation with Col.
Turner, Campbell declared that
the testimony which he had given
in his deposition before the Bureau
of Military Justice was false and
that it had been fabricated by or
under the supervision of Sandford
Conover.  This I learned from
Col. Turner, and I learned he made
the same statement at the same
time in regard to the testimony of
Snevil, and expressed the opinion
[*6925*]             [*168*]             [*36.*]that the other witnesses who had been
produced by Conover had also swore
falsely and under assumed names.
Col. Turner brought Campbell on
to Washington; and I then suggested
that Mr. Wilson, chairman of the
committee should telegraph for
Conover in order that he and Campbell
might be confronted in their examination,
and opportunity thus afforded
the committee of determining
the question of credibility at issue.
    Conover accordingly came and
went before the committee, and while
[*37*]undergoing examination there Campbell 
was introduced, and having been
sworn, he stated that his deposition
given before the Bureau of Military
Justice, was false in all respects,
and was wholly and completely the
fabrication of Conover, - who then
being present replied under oath
that this declaration of Campbell
was untrue, but declined to offer
any explanation.  After, however,
Campbell had been withdrawn,
Conover suggested to the committee
as a reason why he, Campbell, had
[*6926*]             [*169*]             [*38*]made his statement, that he had
probably been corrupted & supposed
he could make more by falsifying
his former testimony than he could
be sustaining it.

I said to Conover
immediately after his examination
closed, that was utterly astounded
at the evidence Campbell had given.
His reply was — "You cannot be
more so than I am."  I then added
"You see the position in which
you are placed; now if what is
charged against you is false, your
[*39*]only made of vindication is to bring
before the committee the witnesses
whom you produced, and whose
depositions were taken before the
Bureau of Military Justice, in order
that they may be examined and
re-affirm their testimony."  He
said he would proceed to New York
with the officer of the committee,
and assist him in finding the
witnesses, and would, as I understood
him to say, return with them to
Washington.  He left, as I was
told, with the officer of the committee
[*6927*]             [*170*]             [*40*]but on arriving at New York separated
himself from him and was
not seen by him afterwards; and
up to this time he has not communicated
with me, nor has he made
any effort, as I believe, to produce
the witnesses, nor has he offered any
vindication of his conduct.

This action of his, added to the
declarations under oath of Campbell,
followed up as they were afterwards
by the testimony of Snevel, as to the
utter falsity of the depositions which
he and Campbell had given, left
[*41*]on my mind a strong impression
that Conover had been guilty of a
most atrocious crime, committed
under what promptings I am wholly
unable to determine. I employed him
under no contract for any stipulated
compensation. He had no reason
from me to believe that he would
receive more for his labor in the event
of his success than in the event of his
failure to discover the testimony which
he alleged existed, nor had he authority
to give to the witnesses any other
assurance than that they should
[*6928*]             [*171*]             [*42*]not be personally compromised by
speaking the truth. He only had
reason to believe, and was so assured,
that all expenses would be paid, &
that a fair compensation for the
services performed,— both in view of
their importance and of the extreme
danger, to which it was supposed
they might expose him,— would be
made, but nothing beyond this.
    Although but two of the
witnesses, to wit:— William Campbell
and Joseph Snevel — have been
found and produced, and have declared
[*43*]the falsity of their depositions,
yet, considering the conduct of this
agent of the government as exposed
and explained, it is believed that the
same discredit which seems to attach
to these two depositions of Campbell
and Snevel should attach to all
the depositions given by the witnesses
brought to the Bureau of Military
Justice for examination by Conover;
and I would therefore suggest, unless
the grounds for discrediting these depositions
be in some way removed, that
all that testimony be withdrawn
[*6929*]             [*172*]             [*44*]from the consideration of the committee.
The witnesses, whose depositions,
under their view, would be withdrawn,
are the following:  John McGill,
William Campbell, Joseph Snevel,
Farnham B. Wright, Sarah Douglass,
Mary Knapp, W. H. Carter,
and John H. Patten.

I append hereto as part of this
my deposition, official copies of
all the letters and telegrams of
Sandford Conover and others heretofore
referred to, the whole being
marked.  "Exhibits to the deposition
[*45*]of J. Holt, Judge Advocate General."
    I deem it proper to remark,
(which, possibly, I may, in effect,
have done previously) that I conferred
freely with these witnesses, before and
while examining them; that they
appeared to possess the ordinary
amount of intelligence, and certainly
assured perfect self-possession and
frankness of manner, and seemed
to be, so far as I could judge, under
no improper influence, and there
was nothing either in the testimony
which they gave — regarded in the
[*6930-1*]             [*173*]             [*46.*]light of other evidence in possession
of the government and which has not
been successfully controverted — or in
their manner while deposing, calculated
in any degree to excite doubt
as to their truthfulness; and I did
not at any time question the sincerity
and honesty with which they
were speaking. The disclosure
made by Campbell to Col. Turner
was the first intimation which I
had received, of the shameless fraud,
which, it is alleged by two of the
witnesses, has been committed upon
[*47*]the government by Conover.

J. Holt
Judge Adv. General.
[*6931*]             [*173 1/2*]             [*48.*][*Copy of Report*]

War Department.
Bureau of Military Justice.
July 3, 1866.

Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.  

Sir.
Referring to the Reports made
to yourself by this Bureau in the case
of Clement C. Clay, on the 6th of
December 1865; in the case of Jefferson
Davis on the 18th of Jany. 1866; and in
the cases of said Clay and Davis
jointly on the 20th of March, 1866,— I
have the honor to submit for your
consideration the following statements: 

It will be remembered
that on the trail of the assassins
of the late President, it was alleged
in the charge and specification, that
the crimes had been committed under
the incitement and encouragement
[*6932*]             [*174*]of the said Jefferson Davis, Clement
C. Clay, Jacob Thompson, and other
conspirators names as combining and
confederating together for that purpose,
and this declaration the court found
to be true, and the opinion has been
heretofore expressed by me that this
finding was justified by the evidence
adduced.  Strong however as was the
proof that let the court to the conclusion
which they thus reached, I had
reason to believe from the knowledge
of its details acquired in the course of
the trial, that yet more conclusive
listening bearing upon the complicity
of the rebel leaders named in the murder
of the President, existed; and hence
as the head of the Bureau of Military
Justice, I felt it my duty to pursue
the investigation further.  The first
opportunity enabling me to do so
presented itself under the following
circumstances:  

Among the witnesses
examined on behalf of the government
before the Military commission which
tried the assassins, was a man calling
himself Sanford Conover.  Underthis name he gave important testimony
on that trial — testimony, however,  
I may remark, which did not bear
on the question of the guilt of the 
parties on trial as actually concerned
in the perpetration of the murder of
the President and the attempted murder
of the Secretary of State, — but
related only to the general conspiracy 
charged to have been formed for the
Commission of these crimes, and to
which it was averred Jefferson Davis
Clement C. Clay, Jacob Thompson,
and others were parties. This man,
it seems, had been a correspondent of
the New York Tribune from Canada;
and it was through Mr. Gay, of the 
Tribune — a citizen of well-known 
character for loyalty and integrity —
that he was brought to the notice of
the government as an important witness.
After having heard his testimony
on the trial of the assassins, 
I was well persuaded from his intelligence
and apparently intimate association
with rebel refugees and conspirators
in Canada, that he had possessed
unusual advantages for acquiring information
[*6933*]                [*175*]formation in regard to their plots and
movements. Hence, when he subsequently
wrote me - voluntarily and
without solicitation or suggestion on
any part - giving assurance as to the
existence of evidence implicating Jefferson
Davis and Clement C. Clay, and
of his ability to find the witnesses, and
proffering his services to do so, I did 
not hesitate to accept his statements
and proposals as made in good faith,
and entitled to credit and consideration.
The first letter received by me from 
him on the subject, bore date, New
York, July 26, 1865; and is as follows:
Brig Gen Hold.
Dear Sir.
Believing that I can
procure witnesses and documentary
evidence sufficient to convict Jeff.
Davis and C. C. Clay of complicity in
the assassination of the President, and
that I can also find and secure John
H. Surratt; I beg leave to tender the
Government, through you, my services
for these purposes.
Since my appearance
as a witness before the Commission,
I have been engaged, to some extent
on my own account, in seeking further
evidence to implicate Davis, Clay,
and others; and I feel [assured] warranted in
saying that my efforts have not been
without some success. I can promise
to find at least three witnesses — men
of unimpeachable character — who will
testify that they submitted to Davis
propositions, which he approved, to 
destroy the President, Vice-President,
and Cabinet, and that they received,
indirectly from the rebel government
money to enable them to execute the
proposed scheme. Letters, I am assured
by one of the parties referred to,
can be adducted to corroborate a part
of their statements.
Two of these persons can 
testify that they were present with
Surratt at an interview with Davis
and Benjamin last spring, in which
the plot under which Mr. Lincoln was
assassinated was discussed and approved
by both functionaries.
These men may be relied on.
As I have already said their character
[*6934*]                [*176*]is unimpeachable.  They despise and
hate Davis now, as intensely as they
once admired and loved him.  Besides
they feel the necessity of doing some
meritorious action to ensure the forgiveness
and pardon of the government
they have outraged.
                          The Interest I have
manifested in this case has been
prompted solely by a desire to serve
the government, though I must admit
that it has been intensified by
my hatred of the rebel leaders.  The
rebellion has ruined me financially, and
I have suffered much at the hands of
Davis & Co.  It will be no fault of 
mine if they escape without their just 
deserts.
                          You may depend that I can
and will, if desirable to you and the
government, accomplish all I promise,
and more.
                           If it is not intended to try
Davis and others for complicity in the 
assassination, I shall be glad to be
sent after Lurratt.  I have ever believed 
that I could find him, and I am
confident that I can now devise ascheme for his capture.  I do not
enter into particulars, because I know
the value of your time too well to
trouble you with a long letter.  If
the propositions I submit are entertained, 
I will call on you and be
more explicit.
Please favor me with a 
reply at once, and in the meantime
believe me to be
you most obt servant    
Sanford Conover 

Direct in care
of S.H. Gay
Tribune
[*x*]
On the 2nd August - written
"1862", though evidently intended for 1865
— he again addressed me from New
York, as follows —

New York, Aug. 2, 1862
General:
I proposed by letter a few
days ago to find, for the good of the 
government and people, John. H.
Surratt, one of the conspirators, and
to produce unimpeachable evidence
[*6935*]                [*177*]sufficient to convict Davis, Clay, and
others of complicity in the assassination
of Mr. Lincoln.
                        I solicited, indeed expected,
an early reply, but was disappointed.
Surratt has since been captured, (so
the papers say,) so that of course my
services in that direction will not be
required.
                        Probably, you have also sufficient
evidence to convict Davis, Clay, 
et al, without the testimony — I should
say evidence— I proposed to adduce, the 
witnesses I proposed to produce, and
the facts that you could educe, under
my suggestion, from certain disloyalists.
                          If it is all so, I'm glad.  But
will you not be kind enough, on receipt
here of, to inform me by telegraph,
directed to Fifth Avenue Hotel, whether 
or not I can be of further service to the
government.
                                 If I cannot be of further
service I propose to go to Mexico, and
my last day, if you do not desire more
of me, in New York will be next Friday
or Saturday.I hope I can be of further service.
I more than hope that I shall 
hear from you (by telegraph) before
Saturday.  If I do not I shall assume
that I can be of no further
service, and act accordingly.
                Your Obt servant
                Sanford Conover.

Brig Gen Holt.
Judge Adv. General.
Washington, D.C.

P.S. This is the fourth letter that 
I have written you without having
received a reply.  I do sincerely hope
that I may receive an answer to this,
if not to those that preceded it.
Respy.
S. C.

It will be observed that the writer
speaks of this as his "fourth letter."
If other than this and the previous
one of 26th July were written, they did
not reach me.

I laid the substance of
the assurances contained in these
[*6936*]                [*178*]letters, before you, and probably read
extracts from the letters to you, and
asked that I might be authorized
to send for Conover to come to Washington,
with a view to a conference
with him and to his employment
as an agent of the government
in the collection of the testimony,
—should it be decreed advisable to do
so— which authority you gave me.
I accordingly wrote to him and he
came on to Washington; and after
an interview with me, I recommended
to you that his proposition should 
be accepted, and that he should be
engaged as a government agent to
find and collect the testimony, of the
existence of which he proffessed to
have knowledge.  To this you assented,
and he was accordingly so
employed.  We then went to New
York, taking with him transportation
from that city to Washington for a
Mr. McGill, whom he represented to
be an important witness. On the
14th of August he telegraphed me
from New York that he had found
McGill, and would start the nightof that day for Washington — of
which telegram the following is a 
copy.

    Brig Gen'l Holt
        Judge Advocate General

                  I have found McGill, and
start to night; failed to find him
in time to leave last evening.
                        Sanford Conover.
18 Claremont Av.
           Brooklyn.

                       Subsequently Conover
and the witness, who called himself
John McGill, arrived in Washington,
and on the 17th of August the latter, 
under that name, gave his deposition
before this Bureau.  The striking
character of his evidence confirmed the
[the] impression previously entertained
of the ability of Conover to find the
witnesses of whom he claimed to have
information.  He proceeded South
without delay, with authority from
me to make diligent search for the 
witnesses, and to report from time
[*6937*]                [*179*]to time the progress he was making.
His first communication to me
bore date "Richmond, Va, August 24th
1865," and is as follows-

Richmond Aug 24 /65.

Brig Gen Holt.
Judge Adv. Genl.
Dr Sir:
I have been in this
city since Saturday, and although
I have not succeeded in reaching any
of the parties sought for, I have received
such information of the whereabouts 
of some of them as will enable
me to find them.  I shall not fail
either in whole or in part.  You
may depend on this.

I shall write you every 
day or two - henceforth more at length
- informing you of my proceedings,
&c.

Resply
Your obt servant
Landford Conover.

On arriving at Columbia, S. C.
he telegraphed me under date of 1st

Sept. 1865, stating that his mission
thus far had been successful, and
that Key and another had been found,
and that a witness, whom he refers
to as "C.", (meaning Campbell,) had
been heard from.
                              The following is a
copy of the telegram —

    Br. Genl Holt —
                    My mission has
thus far proved successful. Key and
one other have been found & secured.
C. has been heard from & will be 
found.  Deeming it inadvisable to
telegraph particulars, I have written at
length. 
                                 S. C.

              The next communication 
which reached me from him was
a lengthy dispatch,  dated Charleston
4th Sept. 1865, in which he professed
to give the details of the investigation
with which he had been occupied,
and the successes which had thus
far attended him — which dispatch
was in the following words:—
[*6938*]                [*180*]Brig. Gen. Holt,
Judge Adv.

I arrived here yesterday
en route for New Orleans, where
I am certain of finding C.  Found
K. at Norfolk, ,and S. at Wilmington.
They are both anxious to do what is
right.  K. wishes to wait & join S
and C. on their way to Washington.
As he can be believed I thought better
to consent.  I have caused S. to accompany
me, as his influence and example
may prove valuable should C.
feel any reluctance to do what is
required of him.  Beside I do not
wish to lose sight of him; he is
cognizant of all the facts disclosed to
me by C.  My funds will not hold
out until I reach N. Orleans.  Owing
to the destruction of Rail Roads, I have
been obliged to travel several hundred
of miles in hacks, at expense of fifty
cents a mile, & at several points was
unable to obtain transportation by
their being no Qr. Mr. at hand.  At
every hotel & lodging house south of
Richmond, have been obliged to pay
nearly double Washington hotel rates.Telegraph me in care of Capt.
J. H. Morre, A. Q. M., no. ten Broad
St. Charleston.

He is also disbursing
officer, whom you can direct to furnish
me with the necessary funds to
enable me to proceed at once with my
business.  There are other persons,
as you will learn from my letter,
whom it may be important to fund
when these named have been secured.
S. C.

A long letter, dated also Charleston, 
S. C.  Sept. 4. 1865, was afterwards
received by me from him,
and in this was given a yet more
minute detail of his researches, and
of the favorable results reached, and
the purpose on his part was expressed
of proceeding thence to New Orleans.

The following is a copy of this
letter.  

Charleston S. C.
Sept. 4.1865

Brig. Gen. Holt.
[*6939*]                [*181*]Judge Adv. General.
Dr Sir.
On the 1st inst. at
Columbia, I prepared a letter for
you, detailing my proceedings to
find and procure the attendance of
Campbell, Key, and others, and on
the same day telegraphed you othat
two of them had been found.  On
reaching the Post Office with my
letter, I learned that there was no
regular mail from Columbia, and
that any letter might not be dispatched
for ten or twelve days.  The
letter is now so worn out from being
carried in my pocket from that 
point to this, that I am under the 
necessity of writing a new one.

I met with considerable
difficult in finding Key and Luevel,
and found it no easy matter to win
their confidence and obtain their consent
to become witnesses.  I ascertained
at Richmond that the
former as at Norfolk, Va, and
the latter at Wilmington, N. C., and
that Campbell had gone to his
former house in New Orleans.  Iresolved to endeavor to secure Key first,
and soon after reaching Norfolk,
found him.  At first he denied
all knowledge of any plots for the
assassination of the President and
his cabinet; but when I disclosed to
him the source of my information,
charging him with such knowledge,
and assured him that Campbell
and other of his acquaintances were
to be witnesses for the Government,
he admitted his knowledge, & stated
the facts at large. (which are substantially 
the same as stated to you as
learned by me from Campbell,) and
consented to become a witness if
Campbell could be induced to become
one also.  He is unwilling to testify 
to what he knows, unless Campbell
and others will do likewise, as he
fears and dreads being despised and
called a traitor by his friends.  He
was not willing to accompany me
to Washington, or make a deposition
until certain that Campbell — a
model of all the virtues with him
— would do the same.  He promised
to join me on my way north with
[*6940*]                [*182*]Campbell, and I am perfectly satisfied 
- indeed I know, as far as it is
possible for one to know anything - 
that he will do so.  You need not
apprehend that he cannot be found
when wanted.  I have more reasons
than I need trouble you with for
knowing that he may be depended
one.

On leaving Key, I proceeded as
directly as possible to Wilmington,
where after much running and
trouble, I found Snevel.  The latter
is very bitter against Davis and his 
leaders, and is exceedingly anxious
to give his testimony and procure
that of others to convict him.  He,
(Snevel,) has been ruined by casting
his fortunes with the rebellion, and
hopes, I imagine, to retrieve some
of his losses by becoming a loyal
citizen and witness for the Government. 
He is s very intimate
with Campbell, and boasts of 
much influence over him.  As he 
appeared reluctant to go to Washington
without others to corroborate
his statements, I proposed that heshould accompany me to New
Orleans for Campbell — not that
I believe that his influence will be
necessary, (although possibly it
might,) to induce Campbell to become
a witness, but, principally,
because I do not wish to lose sight
of him.  He is now without business
and without money, and might
in my absence accept an engagement
which would carry him beyond our
reach.  He assures me that he knows
of two other persons in Maryland
who will make important witnesses.
I trust that any proceedings in regard
to him will meet your approbation.

I have not been able so far
to pick up any thing more damaging
to Clay.  Indeed I wish
to get one case safe first.

Owing to the destruction of
many of the Railroads in this part
of the country, I have been obliged
to make round about courses, and
ride back and forth many miles in
hacks.  From Wilmington I
started for New Orleans, intending
[*6941*]                [*183*]to go via Florence, Kingsville, and
Augusta; but on reaching Kingsville
I was astonished to find that the
cars proceeded no further, and that
the remainder of the distance to
Augusta would have to be travelled
in hacks.  Being near Columbia,
and anxious to visit some acquaintances
in that city, and believing
I could do so without loss of time
or extra expense, I proceeded to that
point - from which I telegraphed
you - determined to make for
New Orleans, via Orangeburg and
Charleston.  Here I arrived yesterday
evening.  The whole distance
from here to New Orleans can be
travelled by rail, except about fifty
miles, which must be made in
hacks.  I propose to proceed thither
the moment I hear from you and
receive the necessary funds.

Over some of the Rail roads
I was obliged to pay fare, there being
no Q. M. at hand to furnish me
with transportation, and it being
less expensive as well as saving time,
to pay fare rather than to wait the
return of the Q.M. and pay board.
Board and lodging at the
South is at a very high figure, being
charged for at rates far exceeding
that of the Washington Hotels.
Travellers are outrageously imposed
on at every step; the excuse for the
extravagant charges being the scarcity
of provisions and so forth.  For
these reasons my fund is reduced to
a few dollars, and I shall reqire
more before proceeding on my business.
When I left Washington
I had strong expectations of finding
all the witnesses named, at or near
Richmond, and believed that I had
more money than sufficient to enable
me to secure them.  Therefore I
took the liberty of sending $50. of
the amount received from you, to 
my family, knowing that they would
need some during my absence.  I
have economized as far as possible,
and have kept a minute account
of my expenditures, which I am
confident you will approve.
I have set my heart upon
producing witnesses and testimony
[*6942*]                [*184*]sufficient to convict Davis & Clay,
and with what I have already
secured I am sure that I shall
succeed.  The statement that Snevel
make to me is ever stronger than
that made to me (and repeated to
you) by Campbell, and there is
not the slightest doubt of my securing
the latter.
                            I have telegraphed
briefly the result of my proceedings,
and requesting the necessary funds;
and shall be momentarily expecting
the needful instructions, & c, to enable
me to fully accomplish  my undertaking.
                             In haste, very respectfully 
                                       your abt. servt.
                                        Sanford Conover.

             From Charleston, S. C on the
6th Sept. 1865, he sent me the following 
telegram.
                 Brig. Gen. Holt
                     J. A.
                       Do answer my dispatch
of the 4th inst.  Has it been rec'd?
It is very important to the Gov'tthat I be instructed and enable to 
proceed on my mission immediately.
I hope to receive answers by or before 
evening.  Direct W. E. Harrison, 
Charleston Hotel — not being prudent
to be known here under my own name.
                                Sanford Conover

               He did not further correspond 
with me until after his return to 
New York, from which city on the
10th of October, 1865, he wrote me at
length as follows:

                           New York  Oct. 10. 1865
Brig Gen. Holt,
   Judge Adv. General.
                   Sir:
                             It affords me pleasure
to report that my efforts to find
certain persons as witnesses for the
Government, have been crowned with 
complete success.  Campbell & Snevel
and a Mr. Waddell, of whom I knew
nothing when I started on my mission,
and now with me in this city.  Key
is in Norfolk ready to join us at a 
moments notice, while another person
[*6943*]                [*185*]named Wright, also unknown to me
when I left Washington, will report
to me at Washington on the 20th inst.
                      I experienced much difficulty
in finding Campbell, and more in 
inducing him to accompany me.
He has no sympathy for Davis, on the
contrary feels quite bitter against him,
but he dreaded and still dreads the 
obloquy and alienation of his own
friends, which he thinks the betrayal 
of Davis' part in the conspiracy certain
to provoke.  Having determined to
take the stand, he is anxious that his
testimony be corroborated as far, and
by as many as possible, and that everything
proper may be done to ensure
Mr. D's conviction; because his acquittal,
or even his conviction, on the testimony
of two or three witnesses, would
afford his (Campbell's) friends and
the public at large grounds for suspecting
that he, with the other witnesses
had been suborned and had
sworn falsely.      So sensitive [and]
and anxious is he on this point, that
he insisted on at once visiting New York,
where, he assured me, he should find afriend who "could if he would furnish
evidence o fht emost positive character";
and that if this friend could be induced
to become a witness, he himself could
do so without the slightest reluctance
or fear of the result. For this reason
I came on to New York with him—
Keeping the other witnesses with me
for several reasons.
Who this "friend" is, or the
nature of the evidence he is able to furnish,
Campbell declines to inform me,
answering all my importunities with
the assurance, that if he cannot induce
him to become a witness, it would be
useless for me to try to do so , and that
he could not, without an unpardonable
breach of faith, disclose any thing which
might [be] possibly place his friend in
an unpleasant position without his
consent.
Our enquiry here for this "friend,"
he was found to be in Canada, whence
he will return on Saturday; and, as
Campbell is so persistent in his determination
to see him before making 
his own deposition, I think better to
afford him the opportunity. I shall
[*6944*]                [*186*]be prepared to ascertain precisely who
the mysterious "friend" is, in case he
declines to join Campbell in becoming
a witness for the Government. [*X*]
The witness mentioned by
me include all that I have so far obtained;
but my investigations have led
to the discovery of another plot, approved
by Davis, for the murder of the late
President, quite as diabolical as the 
one which resulted in his death. The
witnesses to establish this charge, one
of whom is a Miss Alice Williams,
who was commissioned in the rebel
army as a Lieutenant, under the name
of Buford, the would be Charlotte
Corday-except that she proposed to 
employ poison instead of a dagger,-
being mostly females, I thought better
not to produce them without conference
on the subject with you; besides,
I have as many in hand as I can
well manage. The particulars of
this plot and the evidence to be relied
on, I shall not attempt to disclose till
I see you.
I shall leave here for Washington
on Sunday evening with thethree witnesses now in hand.
Any instructions or suggestions
you may desire in the meantime to 
address me by letter or telegraphy may
be sent to the Madison Avenue Hotel, 
corner of Madison Avenue & 27th Street.
                Your obt servant
                 Sandford Conover.

He did not come to Washington
at the time promised in this letter,
but did so later, arriving about the 
close of October and bringing with him
two men calling themselves William 
Campbell and Joseph Snevel, and
who, under these names gave their depositions 
at the Bureau of Military
Justice on the 4th day of November, 1865.
On, or soon after Conover's reaching Washington, 
he addressed me a note bearing
date November 1th, 1865, as follows:—
                Washington, D. C.
                Nov. 1. 1865
Brig. Gen. Holt.
   Dr. Sir.
 I reach here yesterday
with Campbell and Snevel,
[*6945*]                [*187*]Another who was to have joined us here
is in Baltimore, and I shall run up
for him this morning. The above
named prefer not to report to you
in person without me, but will appear
at any hour you may name tomorrow.
Please send me a note to the 
National Hotel that I may receive it
this evening, stating the hour upon
which I shall produce the witnesses
for examination.
The death of one of my children
prevented my reaching here last
week, and the witnesses were unwilling
to appear without me.
Your obt serv't
S Conover
After the taking of the depositions
of Campbell and Snevel, Government
of New York, whence he returned
to Washington, bringing with him
a man calling himself Farnum B.
Wright, who, on the 23rd of November,
1865, also gave his deposition before the
Bureau of Military Justice.
The witness John McGill,
heretofore referred to, having stated inhis deposition that a man named
Carter was present with him at the 
interview he had with Clement C. Clay
and Captain Kennedy in Canada, in
relation to the assassination of the President
and certain other distinguished
officials of the United States Government, 
I engaged Conover to proceed 
to Canada for the purpose of finding 
and bringing to Washington this man
Carter, with a view of taking his deposition; 
and he left Washington under
a promise that he would do so.
               Farnum B. Wright having 
alleged to me that a man named Patten —
whom he had averred in his deposition 
to have been present with him
and others at an interview with Jefferson
Davis, when he abduction, and if necessary,
the assassination of the President 
were discussed and determined upon
resided in St. Louis, and that he believed—
he could find him and secure
his attendance as a witness, I employed
him as an agent of the government
to go to St. Louis for that purpose.
This I did after a conversation with
him in Washington, and after receiving
[*6946*]                [*188*]from him the following note:
                New York  Dec. 5.
Gen Holt.
Dear Sir
    I arrived in New York
this morning. I have overhauled my
papers— could not find the paper
that contained the number, of the
house that Mr. Patten lives in, but
I am quite sure I can find him as
I know the street.
    If you want me to go after
him, I am at your service. Send
me what funds you think I will
require and I will start immediately.
    Direct your letter to the Westchester
House, cor. Bowery and Broome
St.— to be left at the office till called
for.
    P. S. If you don't require my
services to go to St. Louis, please send
some money without fail, and oblige,
                F. B. Wright
Among the persons named as
present at the interview which FarnumB. Wright, Patten, and others were
said to have had with Davis, was 
a man called Lamar.  This 
person, William Campbell — whose
deposition has been referred to— stated
he knew; that he was in Canada,
and that he believed he could
prevail on him to come to the
United States, and give his testimony;
and he offered to go to Canada
for that purpose. I accordingly
engaged him.  He set out, and after
the lapse of some time wrote me from
St. Albans the following letters:—

                           St. Albans.
                                Nov. 15. 1865
Brig Genl. Holt.
           Judge Advocate General
                  Dr. Sir.
                                 I hope you will
excuse my long silence, but I thought
best not to write until I had something
to write about.  I have not
received no answer to either my letter
or telegraph, but I saw a friend of 
Lamar's in St. Albans last night, 
[*6947*]                [*189*]who tells me that he (Lamar) 
was going to leave Canada soon —
he could not tell how soon. He
said he had left his old stopping
place, and he thinks he is poor, and
I think that accounts for my not getting
an answer to my letter or dispatch.
I fear that he has not
received there. I propose to go—
(or send some one) to Canada, to
hunt him up.  If this meets your
approbation, you will please telegraph
me at once. I telegraphed to you 
this morning for the necessary funds
to carry out my ideas, which I hope
will prove satisfactory to you. I 
shall anxiously await your answer,
and hoping it will meet my ideas, 
                 I remain
                your most obt servant,
                William Campbell.

Weldon House,
   St. Albans, VT. 
  
                St. Albans,
                Nov. 24. 1865.Brig Genl Holt.
Judge Advocate General,
 Dr. Sir;
    I am in receipt of your
letter of the  21st.  You appear surprised at my 
inability to get your draft cashed; — not more
so than I was myself.  The banks here
evince no desire to accommodate the Government. 
At first they appeared to doubt my authority, 
and when I satisfied them on that point,
they said they did not care to have any
thing to do with it; they did not see they 
were going to make anything by it.  The St. 
Albans bank says they have moneys to the
amount of four or five thousand dollars
standing out in that way that they cannot
collect, and do not care to negotiate any 
more. The First National Bank referred me
to the St. Albans, as that Bank had done 
a great deal of business with the Government,
and they (the First National) felt themselves
under no obligations to the Government or 
the War Department.  Even your check I 
had to have signed by a resident of
the place before I could get it cashed. 
               Enclosed please find duplicate recpts.
signed. Since my last, I have recd, a 
leter form Lamar appointing a meeting
[*6948*]                [*190*]in Boston where he is at present. I will
start for there tonight or tomorrow morning.
    Hoping my next will be more encouraging,
I remain,
                Very respt.
                Your most obt. servant,
                William Campbell.

On his arrival at Boston, he addressed
me as follows:

                Hancock House,
                Boston, Nov. 29th 1865,
Judge Advocate Genl Holt,
 Dr Sir;
    I have seen Lamar today.
I think everything is all right — he will
give me an answer tomorrow. We will
start for New York about Saturday, where
we will stop for a few days as Lamar
wants to see some friends that are
stopping there. I did not write to you
on my arrival, as I expected to see him
sooner. I will have to draw on you again
this week. You may expect us in Washington
about the last of next week. Please
telegraph on recpt. of this, as I shall
start for New York on Saturday.8
Very respectfully
Your obt. Servant,
William Campbell.
Subsequently I was assured that Lamar,
on his arrival at New York, had declined
to come to Washington to testify, and had
left the United States for Cuba. Still later
I was advised that this statement was
a misapprehension superinduced by a
false representation of Lamar's, and
that he had in point of fact come to
Washington but refused to give any testimony.
I never saw him and whether
such a man existed, I have no means
of certainly determining.
On the 28th November, Conover wrote
me from New York, as follows:
New York, Nov 28/65
Brig Genl. Holt.
Judge Advocate Genl.
Dr Sir:
I did not until this morning
succeed in seeing McGill and getting the
necessary directions for finding Carter. I shall
leave by the next train for Toronto. I shall
not only find Carter but I think other
[*6949*]                [*191*]witnesses as well.
If Wright becomes able to leave for
New York before my return to Washington
I hope you will see that he is fully
reimbursed for expenses, &c. His travelling
expenses from Charleston to Washington
and afterwards from Washington to New
York to find me, were defrayed entirely
by himself. But for appearing as a witness,
he would have sailed directly from 
Charleston to Halifax N.S. If he comes
to New York before I return to Washington,
Snevel will see him and make it agreeble
for him to remain until he can be used
as a witness. He has already satisfied
me of his willingness to do so if his
extra expenses can be paid by the Govt.
Presuming that I should return
to Washington before he would be able
to leave, I made no arrangements about
his hotel bill in case he should wish
to leave before my return. I trust therefore
that besides causing him to receive his
travelling expenses, see that he has enough
to pay his bill at the Hotel. I am confident
that I shall be able to produce
at least two other witnesses against
Davis, not less important than those9.
you have seen, and I therefore feel the
necessity of making everything as satisfactory
as possible to those already in
hand that they may not at any time
be found wanting.
In great haste
Your obt. servt.
S. Conover.
His next communication was from
Montreal under date of 8th Decr 1865, of
which the following is a copy.
Montreal,
Decr. 8. 1865.
Dear Sir;
I have found Carter at last.
My search for him in Toronto revealed
the fact that he had changed his abode
to Montreal. I doubted the propriety
of my coming here, but knowing the
importance of securing the party, I determined
to take the risk.
I found Carter yesterday, made
his acquaintance, &c., but only two hours
ago did I disclose to him my mission
and propose that he should accompany
me to Washington, &c.
[*6950*]                [*192*]He consents, and assures me that he knows
of a score who will testify, if requested,
to facts more important than he can
speak of. He agrees entirely with McGill
except that he can go a little farther.
I think I can promise more than 
Carter–I shall see.
The Rebs. know of my presence,
and I am informed that I will be arrested
again. "To be forewarned is to be
forearmed–" and I can reckon myself
safe. I shall leave if permitted this
evening for Toronto again, where Carter
assures me there are a dozen who will
become witnesses in the matter in question.
I called on Mr. Perkins, an eminent
lawyer, – some months ago counsel for
Hon. Joshua Giddings, Consul Genl. here,
in a prosecution against him, – and
have been fortified by a knowledge of
my rights under the laws of this Province;
and on the strength thereof, think I may
consider myself safe.
Resply.
Your obt. servt.
S. Conover.
Brig Genl Holt.
Judge Advcte. Gen.10

Afterwards Conover telegraphed me
from Montreal as follows:

    Dated Montreal, Dec. 13th 1865.
Received at Wash. Dec 13th.
    To Brig Genl Holt,
                Judge Advocate General.
    Have
just returned from Quebec. Have three
(3) very important witnesses. Require more
funds. Send me one hundred (100) dollars
by Express in care of D. Y. Irish. Shall
return the moment I hear from you —
Expect another witness here. Answer
this dispatch, care of Mr. Irish.
                                S. C. 

On the 20th of December, he wrote me at
length from Montreal, professing to give
much in detail the very important
testimony he had discovered, the character
of the inquiries which had led to its discovery,
together with the names of the
witnesses. This letter, which he stated he
would send by the witness Carter, came
to me through the mail, accompanied
by a note from Carter, dated New York,
Dec 27th 1865 — of which note and letter
[*6951*]                [*193*]the following are copies:
New York, Dec 27th 1865
Sir:
I send you from here a letter
given me for you by Mr. Conover. I
expected to stop in this place only one 
day, but I want to see Mr. McGill
before coming to Washington and he is
in Providence and will not get back
till Saturday – and I will wait for him 
and come on next Tuesday.
It may be necessary for you to
have Mr. Conover's letter before I come,
so I will send it to you by mail.
Yours respectfully
Wm H. Carter.
Montreal, Dec 20th/65
Dear Sir:
Agreeably to my promise in
my note of yesterday morning, I proceed
to report more at length my proceedings
under my late mission. Other business
prevented my writing last evening; and
I shall not leave here for Toronto until 
this evening.
You will receive this letter at the11

hands of Carter, whom I deem it advisable
to forward from here at once,
as he is anxious before making a
deposition to see McGill and "compare
notes," as he expresses it, in order that
there may be no unnecessary discrepancy
in their testimony.
    His statement does not differ in the
least, if my memory serves me well,
from McGill's deposition, except that
he recollects one very important
fact and occurrence which McGill
must have forgotten or inadvertently
omitted to disclose. Carter, who is
quite intelligent, is confident that
he can refresh the memory of his friend
and make him recollect all that he
does himself; and I think it very important
that he should do so.
    The next witness I have in hand is
named Mott. Like McGill and Carter
he was seduced into hostility to the
United States by extravagant promises
by Clay and other prominent rebels.
    I cannot undertake to give you more
than a brief synopsis of his statement.
    He knew Clay quite well — was several
times present at his room when the
[*6952*]                [*194*][12]

subject of raids on the frontier was
discussed, and had one private interview
with Clay on the subject. This
interview was just after the St. Albans
raid, and Clay, among other things, expressed
dissatisfaction that the raiders had
not burnt more houses and spilt more
blood. He said that in such a war
Yankees should be killed wherever found
whether they had arms in their hands or
not.
    In November 1864, a few days after
the election returns rendered it certain
that Lincoln had been re-elected, he
called on Mr. Clay with a letter, (of which
he has shown me the original draft,) written
by a Mr. Purcell of Virginia, proposing
by a "grand blow to relieve the country
of the seven-headed Hydra Lincoln,
Hamlin, Johnson, Stanton, Seward, Grant
and Sherman," if he (Clay) would furnish
the necessary funds for the purpose. The
letter contained assurance that the
men for the enterprise were already enlisted,
and promised that if Clay approved the
proposition to lay before him in full the
plan for its execution.
    Mott admits that at the time he12.

intended to enter into the scheme with
Purcell, but avers that he then believed
it would be honorable warfare. The
letter to Clay was dictated by himself
and Purcell, jointly, in his own room,
but was, as the original is, in Purcell's
handwriting.
    Clay on reading the letter enquired
why Purcell did not call himself, and
remarked that he had been wishing
for several days to see him, and added,
laughingly, that he had begun to think
he had gone over to the Yankees. Mott explained
why Purcell did not call, whereupon Clay
wrote a reply to the letter.
    Mott being interested in the affair the
same as Purcell, opened the reply as soon
as he left Clay's presence. It assured
Purcell that his patriotic purpose was
heartily approved, and that if on a
submission of his plan the scheme appeared
practicable, the necessary funds would
be advanced and that he (Purcell) would,
if successful in destroying the great Hydra,
be honored as the Hercules of the age.
The letter requested that Purcell would
call and submit his plan as soon
as possible, as the scheme had been
[*6953*]                [*195*]
proposed before, and various plans for
its execution had been suggested and
were under consideration, and that
he(Clay) intended to approve, and
adopt, the one which should most clearly
appear feasible.
    Two or three days later, Purcell and
Mott called on Clay and laid their plan
before him; but after giving it consideration
he declared that a plan had been proposed,
in his opinion, more practicable than
theirs, and that, while he was obliged
to reject their plan, he desired them
to unite with others in executing the
one approved by him — and he promised
great honor and reward if they would
do so. They proceeded far enough to
become acquainted with the "more practicable"
plan, which was finally abandoned.
    In this condensed report of Mott's
statement, I have of course been obliged
to omit most of the details and circumstances
necessary to give full force, intelligence
and application to his representations;
but I trust I have given enough to show
that he will make a valuable witness.
    Mott is confident that Purcell is in
Toronto, and that he will readily give his13

testimony and produce Clay's letter to
which I have referred.
        The next witness is a Mrs. Douglass,
who for many months was intimately
associated with leading rebels in Canada,
and a friend and visitor to the Porterfields, 
Macgruders and others of their stamp.
        Her husband who was devoted to
the rebel cause was sent by Clay on a 
mission to Richmond, and is believed
to have been killed in his efforts to get
through the Union lines, as he has never
since been heard from.  Mrs. Douglass, however,
will not believe him dead, but thinks
him in confinement in some federal
prison, and will give her testimony
only on condition that her husband if
in prison shall be released.  I am certain
Douglass is not in prison, but I have
not, under all the circumstances seen fit so
to assure Mrs. D.
        Before being sent on his mission to 
Richmond and about the middle of
November 1864, Douglass was engaged
with Clay and others in a plot to assassinate
the President and his Cabinet.  The conspirators
met two or three times at Douglass' residence,
and the plans for its execution of
[*6954*]                [*196*]their scheme was twice discussed in Mrs. 
D. presence.  There was considerable difference
of opinion amongst the conspirators as
to the best way to effect their purpose —
each appeared to have a plan of his
own.  Among other ways it was proposed 
to use air-guns, and the power of an 
air-gun was tested in Clay's presence
in the rear yard of Douglass' residence.
        One evening Clay said that it was
easy enough to put Lincoln and Grant
out of the way, but that no plan would
answer but one that would secure the
destruction of Stanton, Seward and Johnson 
at the same time — that a clean sweep
should be made of it.
        One afternoon Clay called at Douglass' 
residence alone.  The latter was absent at 
the time, but as Mrs. D. was momentarily 
expecting him to return, Clay concluded
to wait for a few minutes.  The conversation
soon turned upon the war, and Clay
remarked that if they succeeded in cutting
down the Yankee leaders, as he believed
they would, the war would soon be over.
        Mrs. D. said to him that she was 
opposed to her husband engaging in 
such a project, that it looked too much14

like murder.  Clay replied, "Nonsense,
it is nothing like murder.  We are at
war with Lincoln and his crew — and 
in war everything is fair that will
enable one to beat his enemy.  Lincoln
would hang your husband and me if
he should get us in his power, and I
would like to know if it would be
any worse for us to destroy him.  Besides
self-preservation and the safety of the
South demands Lincoln's death."  He went
on to say that Yankee emissaries had
previously attempted to destroy President
Davis and his whole family by arson—
and that that fact would fully justify
the measures he proposed.
        Douglass afterwards quarrelled
with Kennedy and withdrew from the
enterprise and was subsequently sent
by Clay with dispatches to Richmond.
        In the early part of December
Mrs. D. visited Montreal, and while there
stayed most of the time at Porterfield's
and Macgruder's; and just prior to
Clays departure from the Province — to wit
on the 8th day of December — had an interview
with him in which the assassination
plot was one of the subjects of conversation.
[*6955*]                [*197*]To recount all or even a tithe of what
was said on these various occasions, would
occupy more time and space than I have
at my disposal, but I have given enough
to the great importance of this woman's 
testimony.
        Clay and Thompson both violated
their promises to "provide handsomely" 
for Mrs. D. during her husbands absence,
and in case of accident to him, and
she is now obliged to teach music for
the support of herself and children.  Having
been robbed of her husband and treated
with neglect by these scoundrels, she feels
no reluctance in disclosing all she knows
of their infernal machinations.
        These witnesses are all of genteel appearance,
and give their statements with becoming
frankness.  I have been careful to select
none but persons of unsullied reputation.
The world select I use in its most
comprehensive sense, for I have had nearly
a score of persons from whom to choose.
I have rejected all whose character for
veracity or general character could be
assailed.  Several have made statements
to me which I believe, and have many
reasons for believing, to be true, and which,15

if true, should consign Clay to the
severest and most  ignominious punishment
known to the law, but on inquiry
into their antecedents and present standing
I have felt constrained to reject them—
saying to them that I might avail 
myself of their knowledge by-and-by.
        My mission has brought me in
contact with four sorts of persons 
who could be used as witnesses. First, 
the kind I have engaged. Secondly, 
persons undoubtedly possessed of much
knowledge, whose present character and
standing could probably be assailed
to the destruction of their testimony.  Thirdly,
persons in good standing who pretend
to know much and are ready for a
consideration to swear to anything and
everything, when in fact they know, 
as I satisfied myself, little or nothing.
Fourthly, persons who evidently possess 
considerable knowledge, and claim to
have important letters and papers, which 
they are unwilling to disclose except for
a valuable consideration.
        Believing that I shall be able
to obtain a sufficient number of witnesses
of unquestionable integrity to establish
[*6956*]                [*198*]Clays criminality.  I have not felt at
liberty to engage any persons who
might possibly be impeached.  Yet I
am free to declare that of the persons 
I have rejected, there are at least three
whose statement under oath I would 
myself receive with as much confidence
as i would the testimony of any
of the members of the present Congress.
They are, in common phraze, persons
of doubtful character, that is to say,
men who visit groggeries, brothels and
gambling-halls, and do it so publicly
that every one who will many know it, 
and point to them as "doubtful characters";
men who have been ruined by
the war, who have been deluded and
led away by Clay and his associates,
and when of no further use abandoned—
like worn-out horses, in Canada — to live
by their wits, or starve and die in the
gutter; — yet men who never have, so far
as I could learn, robbed or stolen or
swindled, and would not to save their 
lives, — men who notwithstanding their
iniquities, would not perjure their souls
or sell their honor for a moderate sum,
much less for a trip, a laborious journey,16

to Washington and back. I have rejected
them only because I know there are plenty
John Bull Canadians, enemies of the 
United States, who applauded these men
while they were in the rebel service, who
would, if they knew of their being witnesses
for the U.S. Govt., against Clay or other
high rebel functionaries, come forward
to impeach them, and unhesitatingly
swear to whatever might be necessary
to do so.  Still, I presume an equal, if 
not greater number of equally respectable
persons could be produced to sustain
them.  But in view of these facts I know
not how to act in regard to them without
further instructions.
     I shall leave for Toronto this P.M.,
and from the representations of Mott and
others have little doubt but that I
shall find Purcell and be able to produce
him and Clay's letter, to which I have
referred.  I am also of the opinion that
I shall find several other unexceptionable
witnesses.
     I hope to receive a letter from
you at Toronto, giving me such further
instructions as you may deem proper.
Direct to G.W. Montague, Queens Hotel,
[*6957*]                [*199*]and if convenient seal with wax —
black wax.
     My letter has become quite lengthy, 
but I need not assure you that I have
written rather for your information
than my own pleasure.
          Resply,
          your obt. Servt.
          S  Conover.

On the 13th January following, Conover
telegraphed me from Albany, N.Y., as
follows.

Genl Holt
J. Ad. Genl.,
     I have just arrived here 
from Kingston, Canada, with four witnesses
& expect another from Montreal to join me
here this afternoon.  My friends are exhausted.
Please telegraph A. Van Allen, of first
National Bank here, a request to cash
a draft on you for one hundred twenty 
five (125) dollars, that I may leave here 
this evening. Will reach Washington
on Monday.
          S. Conover.7.

He afterwards arrived in Washington
bringing with him two females calling
themselves Sarah Douglass and Mary
Knapp, whose depositions were taken at
the Bureau of Military Justice on the
6th of February 1866.
     A few days thereafter Conover brought
to this Bureau, the witness W. H. Carter,
the man in quest of whom he had
gone to Canada. This person under
the name mentioned, gave his deposition
on the 9th of Feby, 1866.
    Yet later Farnum B. Wright and
Conover came to Washington bringing
with them a man calling himself
John H. Patten, who under that name,
gave his deposition at this Bureau on
the 24th of Feby. 1866.

     There was nothing in the previous
history of Sandford Conover, as known 
to me, to excite my distrust either
in his integrity, in his truthfulness or
in his sincerity with which he had
made his propositions to the Government,
that led to his being employed as an
agent for the collection of the testimony
which was supposed to exist in
[*6958*]                [*200*]reference to the assassination of the 
President.  On the contrary, there was
much in his intelligence — which was
marked and striking — and in his
apparent frankness and his known
connection with important sources of
information, to inspire faith in his
professions and promises.  There was 
much also to inspire this faith in his
correspondence with me, as already
exhibited, while apparently engaged
in the performance of the difficult
and responsible duty imposed upon
him.  That correspondence was characterized
by unusual intelligence, by great variety
of detail, and by a naturalness which
seemed to protect it from criticism; and
my confidence in his testimony was
strengthened by my knowledge that it
was in accord with, and seemed to be, 
in a large degree, a natural consequence
from, other facts which had been testified
to as having occurred in Canada by
witnesses known to the Government, and
whose reputation has not been, and 
cannot, it is believed, be successfully
assailed.
     Under the passage of the Resolution 18.

of the House of Representatives appointing
a committee to investigate and ascertain
what testimony existed in regard to the
complicity of Davis in the assassination
of the President, I appeared before this
committee in obedience to its summons,
and gave my testimony and produced
before it the depositions to which I 
have referred together with the reports
which I made, and which reports with
the opinions therein expressed upon
the questions involved, were based
upon these depositions, and upon
the other proofs therein presented
and communicated on — upon which
proofs these depositions were but
cumulation, though strongly so.
    Decided however as was my confidence
in the truthfulness of these
depositions, I was not willing that
the Committee should accept my
estimate of them or base any action
of their own solely on that estimate.
Hence I urges — certainly the chairman,
and I think another member of the Committee,
that I should be directed, or requested, to
bring before them the more important of
these witnesses produced by Conover, who
[*6959*]                [*201*]were believed to be within the reach of
the Government, in order that by their
cross-examination, their bearing while
testifying, and by such other tests as
they might be subjected to, the Committee
should be enabled to determine for
themselves what degree of credit their
evidence is entitled to.
    In consequence of this suggestion
of mine, and of its having been repeated
and urged, I received the direction
of the Hon. Mr. Wilson chairman of the
Committee to send for these witnesses, or
the more important of them. I accordingly
sent to the city of New York Brevet Col.
Turner, Judge Advocate, giving him, as
I now remember it, the names of Campbell,
Snevel, McGill, Wright, Patten and Mrs.
Douglass— these being the witnesses that
I had reason to believe might be obtained
within a reasonable time. It is barely
possible that the name of Patten was
not embraced in this list, owing to my
supposing him to reside in Saint Louis;
but the most important of the witnesses
were certainly included. Col. Turner,
on proceeding to New York, had an
interview with Campbell, — who has19.

been repeatedly referred to by me; and
in a conversation with Col. Turner,
Campbell declared that the testimony
which he had given in his deposition
before the Bureau of Military Justice,
was false and that it was fabricated
by or under the supervision of Sandford
Conover.  This I learned from Colonel
Turner; and I learned he made the
same statement, at the same time, in
regard to the testimony of Snevel, and 
expressed the opinion that the other
witnesses who had been produced by
Conover, and also sworn falsely and
under assumed names.  Colonel Turner 
brought Campbell on to Washington,
and I then suggested that Mr. Wilson,
Chairman of the committee should telegraph
for Conover, in order that he and
Campbell might be confronted in their
examination, and opportunity thus afforded
the committee of determining the question
of credibility at issue.  Conover accordingly
came and went before the Committee, and
while undergoing examination there,
Campbell was introduced, and having
been sworn, he stated that his deposition
given before the Bureau of Military Justice 
[*6960*]                [*202*]was false in all respects, and was wholly
and completely the fabrication of Conover,
who then being present, replied, under
oath, that this declaration of Campbell
was untrue, but declined to offer any
explanation. After, however, Campbell had
been withdrawn, Conover suggested to
the Committee as a reason why he (Campbell)
had made his statement, that he had
probably been corrupted and supposed
he could make more by falsifying his
former testimony than he could by
sustaining it.
    I said to Conover, immediately after
his examination closed, that I was utterly
astounded at the evidence Campbell had
given. His reply was 'You cannot be more
so than I am.' I then added —You see
the position in which you are placed; now
if what is charged against you is false,
your only mode of vindication is to bring
before the Committee the witnesses whom
you produced, and whose depositions were
taken before the Bureau of Military Justice,
in order that they may be examined and
re-affirm their testimony.
    He said he would proceed to New York
with the officer of the Committee, and assist20-

him in finding the witnesses, and would,
as I understood him to say, return with
them to Washington. He left, as I was
told, with the officer of the Committee,
but on arriving at New York separated
himself from him, and was not seen
by him afterwards, and up to this time —
although some two months have elapsed —
he has not communicated with me,
nor has he made any effort, as I believe,
to produce the witnesses, nor has he
offered any vindication of his conduct.
    This action of his, added to the
declarations under oath of Campbell,
followed up as they were afterwards
by the testimony of Snevel, as to the utter
falsity of the depositions which he and
Campbell had given, has left a strong
impression on my mind, that Conover has
been guilty of a most atrocious crime—
committed under what promptings I am
wholly unable to determine. I employed
him under no contract for any stipulated
compensation. He had no reason
from me to believe that he would receive
more for his labor in the event of his
success, than in the event of his failure
to discover the testimony which he
[*6961*]                [*203*]alleged existed; nor had he authority
to give to the witnesses any other assurance
than that they should not be personally
compromised by speaking the truth. He
only had reason to believe and was so
assured, that all expenses would be paid
and that a fair compensation for the services
performed — both in view of their importance,
and of the extreme danger to which it was
supposed they might expose him — would be made,
but nothing beyond this.
    Although but two of the witnesses — to wit:
William Campbell and Joseph Snevel have been
found and produced, and have declared the
falsity of their depositions, yet considering
the conduct of this agent of the government,
as exposed and explained, it is believed
that the same discredit which seems to attach
to these two depositions of Campbell and
Snevel, should attach to all the testimony
given by the witnesses brought to the Bureau
of Military Justice for examination by Conover.
Both Campbell and Snevel were subjected to a
rigid cross-examination by the Committee
in reference to their past lives, the places of
their residence and business, the names of
their employers, &c. — extending through a
series of years,— the purpose being through21

inquiry into the particulars furnished
by their answers, to test the accuracy
of the statements upon these collateral
matters, and thus arrive at a proper
estimate of their general credibility.
The narrative thus given by Campbell of
his past life has, I learn informally from
a member of the Committee, been found
to be false in many particulars.  It is
not known that the sketch given by
Snevel of his life has, as yet, been
submitted to the same test.  While this
investigation in which the Committee is
engaged may result in impairing or even
destroying the general credibility of these
witnesses, I deem it my duty, with the
convictions I entertain — produced in large
degree by the conduct of Conover — formally
to withdraw these depositions for the
present from the consideration of the
government; and should nothing hereafter
occur to remove these convictions,
the depositions, with your consent, will
be wholly rejected.  The witnesses whose depositions
under this view are withdrawn,
are the following: John McGill, William
Campbell, Joseph Snevel, Farnum B. Wright,
Sarah Douglass, Mary Knapp, W. H. Carter, and Jno H. Patten.
[*6962*]                [*204*]Of these witnesses McGill was
mentioned by name in the Report of
this Bureau to yourself under date
of 6th December, 1865, while John H.
Patten, W. H. Carter, Sarah Douglass,
and Mary Knapp were referred to
by name, and their testimony commented
upon, in the supplementary
Report to yourself under date of March
20, 1866.  In the Report to yourself
of Jany. 18. 1866, the names of Farnum
B. Wright, Mr. Campbell, and Joseph
Snevel were not given, because it was
supposed that the report might be sent
to Congress, and in the then condition
of the investigation, it was not deemed
advisable to make the names of these
witnesses public; their testimony however,
was given at length, with the
dates of their depositions, with the fact
that they had been taken before this
Bureau.

The recognition, therefore, of
the testimony assailed and now withdrawn,
 will be certain and easy on
examining these several Reports, a careful
study of which excluding from
consideration this rejected evidence -will serve to show how strongly and
impressively the findings of the Military
Commission against Davis, Clay, 
and others, are supported by other oral
and written proofs, which, though denounced 
by traitors and those sympathizing 
with the rebellion, had not been
successfully contradicted.

It is proper to remark that
no discredit has attached to the numerous
depositions and affidavits taken
before this Bureau and elsewhere, for
the purpose of proving the presence of
C. C. Clay in Canada in the winter
of 1864-65, and in the early spring of
the latter year.

With these depositions
and affidavits Conover had no connection
whatever, and the confidence originally
entertained in their truthfulness
remained unshaken.

The history of Sandford Conover's
agency and its results has been given
thus circumstantially, in order that
you may discard the testimony produced 
by him from consideration, and
also in order that you may understand
[*6963*]                [*205*]under what constant encouragements
and apparently trustworthy assurances
the inquiry committed to his hands
was continued on my part.  These
explanations have been made by me
as a witness before the Committee on
the Judiciary, substantially as presented
in this Report, and, in large degree,
as the same language here in employed.

All of which is
respectfully submitted.

J. Holt.
Judge Adv. General.


[*"The Conspiracy to Hang Jeff Davis"*]

[*not for 
to-morrow
send proof 
to Putman*]

War Department, 
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
Washington, D.C., Sept. 22d, 1866
Mr. James Gordon Bennet,    [*10*]
Sir.
In the Washington Correspondence 
of the New York Herald of yesterday are found two letters, one 
purporting to have been written to myself by S Conover, under 
date of "Philadelphia Dec. 13th, 1865," & the other stated to have 
been inclosed in the former, & purporting to have been written by 
M. N. Harris to "Friend Conover" under date of "Harrisburg, 
Dec. 11th 1865", which letters are offered in support of an 
atrocious calumny heretofore published against me by this same 
correspondent, & from which my "vindication" has appeared in 
the Chronicle of this city & other journals; and I am now "challenged 
to deny the genuineness & truthfulness of these letters."

In reply, I declare that until I saw these letters 
in the Herald of yesterday, I had never seen or heard of them, 
or of either of them, or of their contents; nor were these letters or
either of them, or the subject matter of either, or the man Harris,  
ever alluded to by Conover in his correspondence or in any of 
his numerous personal conferences with me.  I pronounce them 
therefore to be base fabrications, made for the purpose of adjustment 
to my note to Conover under date of 15th Dec. 1865, 
with a view of giving to that note a totally unwarrantable 
signification.  That note is alleged by your correspondent 
to have been written in reply to Conover's pretended letter
[*6963a*]                         [*205a*] 
to me of "Philadelphia 13th, Dec. 1865," which allegation iswholly untrue.  This note of mine, on the contrary, was in 
answer to a telegraphic communication — called, it seems, by
me a "letter" — sent to me by Conover from Montreal, under
date of "13th Dec 1865," in which it was stated that he was
there with three very important witnesses, & expecting another, & required more 
funds, & asking a remittance; and the $150, mentioned in 
my note, was inclosed to him to meet necessary expenses
in bringing these four witnesses, with himself, to Washington.
Neither the note itself nor the remittance had any other
object than this, except the simple one of urging his speedy return to Washington.

     Thus the stale artifice heretofore exposed & denounced
of manufacturing letters & notes for the purpose of adjusting them
to my own brief communications in order to change their import,
is here revived, and this audacious work will no doubt be
continued so long as the public shall show itself sufficiently
credulous or gullible to give to these forged papers credit or 
consideration. I cannot but believe the American people too
sensible & too honest to be the dupe of a trick so shallow and
shameless.  All imputations calling in question the strict
integrity of my official action in any connection with the
"Conover testimony," as it is termed, which may arise out of these
papers, or from any other public action or source whatever I
pronounce malignantly false in their every intendment & implication.

     You will do me an act of simple justice by 
giving the foregoing a place in your columns.

J. Holt,
Judge Advocate General.

[*6963b*] [*205b*]Dec 3rd Rm
[*No. 11.*]Washington D.C.
Feby 26th, 1867

Genl. Joseph Holt.
Judge Advocate Genl. USA
Washington D.C

Dear Sir

In accordance with
your instructions of the 15th of January 1867 I proceeded
to Canada in search of Lewis S. Chapman. I 
succeeded in getting a clew to him in Windsor, C. W.
I followed him thence through several places to
Montreal C. E. While persuing my enquiries relative to
him in Montreal, I axidentily found a paper
containing a notice of his marriage in Brock C. W.
Upon inquiry I was informed that Brock was
near Collinwood on the Georgean Bay. This was an
error as Brock is near Lake Simco about forty miles
north from Port Hope, C. W. I proceeded to Brock and
found the father of the wife of Chapman — Mr McClean—
Mr McClain informed me that Chapman had gone
to Mississippi with his wife. I could not learn definitily
[*6964*]                [*206*]from Mr McClain what part of Mississippi Chapman
had gone to, only to some place back of Vicksburgh  I subsequently learned however that
he had gone to Jackson. This I learned from Wm
McClain uncle to Chapman's wife. Chapman is about
five feet eight or nine inches in hight dark brown hair,
very full dark eyes, no whiskers, would weight about one
hundred and fifty or sixty pounds. This description
is given as he appeared over two years ago since which
time I have not seen him. Chapman was a refugee
in Canada during a part of the late Rebellion, he visited
at my house in Ayr several times during the fall of
64 and occsionally in the following winter I understand that
he was a soldier in Pemberton's command and was paroled
at Vicksburgh in 1863, and that while in Canada he was
immediately associated with Jacob Thompson Beverly Tucker
and others of that class.
                I am
                 with sentiment of respect and esteem
                    Your Most Obedient Servant
                        J B Merritt


MARRIED,
   In Brock, C.W., on the 31st January, by the Rev.
James McClary, at the residence of the bride's
father, Lewis S. Chapman of Mississippi, to Jane L.,
[d]aughter of Robert McClain.  No cards.
   Louisville, Ky., papers please copy.

                Montreal  Feby 7th 1867
Dear Sir
    I leave here to day for
Brock C. W.  Our man was here
on the 24th ult together with McClain
They —is he— left for the west on
the same evening.  He left the
impression on the minds of some
here, that he had been living
in Canada all the time and
that he had not gone to the
States at all.  This however is
a mistake for he has been in
the States.  I did not enlighten
the minds of those with whom
I [convers?e].  The above slip
I cut from the Ontario Standard
Brock is in Ontario County and
in the vicinity of Collinwood.  I shall
make my way there as fast as


from Mr McClain what part of Mississippi Chapman
had gone to, only to some place back of Vicksburgh  I sub
he had gone to
McClain uncle to
five feet eight or
very full dark eyes 
hundred and fifty
is given as he
time I have not
in Canada during
at my house in
64 and occsionally 
he was a soldier in
at Vicksburgh in 186
immediately associat
and others of that cla


the drifted conditions of the 
roads will permit. And without 
doupt the party mentioned 
in the notice is out man I 
hope so, Genl. Carroll & Govr Wescott
are quite communicative.

Hoping in a few days to 
be able to make a favorable 
report. 
I remain 
Your Most Obedient Servant
J B Merritt


Maj. Genl. Joseph Holy
Judge Advocate Genl, U.S.A
Washington D.C

              
from Mr McClain what part of Mississippi Chapman
had gone to, only to some place back of Vicksburgh  I sub
he had gone to
McClain uncle to
five feet eight or
very full dark eyes 
hundred and fifty
is given as he
time I have not
in Canada during
at my house in
64 and occsionally 
he was a soldier in
at Vicksburgh in 186
immediately associat
and others of that cla[*[Copy]*]

Newmarket Junction, N. H.,
March 25th 1867.

Hon Sir
The Dec before the killing of
Lincoln there was a person in correspondence
with Booth boarding at the corner of
E & 22nd street, perhaps that some evidence
might be gleaned from that source relative
to Surratt.

S. P. Maybetty

I think that I have the location of the place.

[Address on envelope:
"Secry of War
Washington, 
D. C."
Post-Mark, nor Stamp.]
[Rec'd War Dept March 30th 1867

[*6965*]                [*207*][*Mar 27. 1867*]

City and County of New York. SS.

Francis McFall, of said city,
being sworn, deposes and says,
that he is acquainted with Benjamin
Wood, late Editor of the
New York Daily News; Roger A.
Pryor, late a general in the
Rebel army; and Charles A.
Dunham, sometimes know as
Sanford Conover, of said city.

That in the early part of
August last, deponent was
informed by said Conover that
he had become involved in a 
quarrel with the Judge Advocate
General, and that the latter
was persecuting him with the
vindictiveness of a fiend, and
that for his own protection and
to resent the hostility of the
Judge Advocate General, he had
joined the friends of Jeff. Davis
in making an onslaught on the
[*6966*]                [*208*]official character of the Judge
Advocate General, and that he
desired deponent to aid them,
assuring him that he, deponent,
would be well compensated.
That at deponent's request said
Conover explained that he desire
deponent to make and affidavit
accusing Judge Holt, Judge Advocate
General aforesaid, with
attempting to suborn deponent
to make a deposition implicating
Jefferson Davis in the
assassination of President Lincoln.
That deponent consented to do
what was required of him if
he could be satisfied that he
could do so without danger to
himself, and that said Conover
then introduced deponent to said
Wood, who assured deponent
that no possible harm could
come to him; that it might[*3*]

never become necessary for deponent
to repeat his statement in
Court; and that is it should
become necessary there would be
no one to contradict deponent.
That deponent would receive
two hundred dollars on making
the affidavit; three hundred
dollars more if it should become
necessary to publish it in the
papers; and seven hundred more
if he should be required to repeat
the statement in any judicial
or official proceeding.
That deponent accepted the offer,
and was forthwith taken by
said Conover to the office of
said Pryor, where an affidavit
was prepared by said Pryor,
and sworn to by deponent, who
thereupon received the $200 - 
promised, from the hands of
said Wood.

[*6967*]  [*209*]4

That said affidavit alleged that
deponent had been introduced
by said Conover to Judge Holt,
who endeavored to induce deponent
to make deposition, implicating
Jeff. Davis in the assassination
conspiracy; and
set out at great length a conversation
purporting to have
taken place between Judge Holt
and deponent, in which the former 
endeavored to induce deponent
to make a deposition, as
aforesaid, and which deponent
refused to do.

Deponent further
says, that said Holt never requested 
deponent to make a
deposition; and that he never
saw said Holt in his life.

Deponent further
says, that he make this affidavit 
without any compentsation5

or reward, or promise of
compensation or reward on the
one hand, and without any threat
or compensation on the other; and
that his only motive is to do in
the interest of trust and public
justice that which may be fairly 
demanded of him.
                Francis McFall
Sworn to before me
May 17. 1867.    [*[March ?]*]
    Edward DeRose,
      Notary Public.

State of New York.                }
City & County of New York  }   SS.

I, William C. Connnerk,
Clerk of the City and County
of New York, and also Clerk
of the Supreme Court for the
said City and County, being 
a Court of Record, do honestly

[*6968*]                [*210*]6

certify, that Edward De Rose,
before whom the annexed deposition
was taken, was, at the
time of taking the same, a 
Notary Public of New York,
dwelling in said City and County,
duly appointed and sworn,
and authorized to administer
oaths to be used in any Court
in said State, and for general
purposes; and that his signature
thereto is genuine, as I verily
believe.  In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said
Court and County the 17th day
of May, 1867.
                Wm. C. Conner
                    Clerk.

Rev
Stamp 
5¢

Seal.7

City and County of New York.  ss.
    John Martin of Brooklyn,
Kings County in the State of
New York, being duly sworn
deposes and says, that he is
acquainted with Benjamin
Wood, late editor and proprietor
of the N. Y. Daily News; Roger A.
Pryor, late of Virginia, and an
ex-general in the late rebel army,
and Charles A. Dunham (sometimes
know as Sanford Conover)
Counselor at Law, of the City
of New York.

    Deponent avers that about the
last of July or first of August
last he melt said Conover, who,
after some conversation on the
general topics of the day, asked
deponent if he (deponent) did
not wish to do him (said Conover)
a great favor, and at the same 
time make a little money for
[*6969*]                [*211*]8

deponent's self.  That deponent
signified a willingness and
readiness to do so, when said
Conover explained that he had
become involved in a quarrel
with the Judge Advocate General,
who seemed determined to destroy
him, and that he, said
Conover, was on the other hand
determined to resist, and, if
possible, destroy his said enemy.
That the hostility of Judge Holt
had forced him, said Conover,
for his own protection, to join
the friends of Jeff Davis, who
were making strenuous efforts
to secure Davis's release, & that
it was intended to further their
said efforts by fastening upon
Judge Holt the charge of conspiring
to implicate Davis by means
of bogus witnesses, in the assassination
of President Lincoln, and9

that by this course he, Conover
would be enabled to punish
Judge Holt for his animosity
towards him, said Conver.  That
he, said Conover, wanted deponent
to make an affidavit stating that
he, said deponent, had been introduced
by him, said Conover,
to Judge Holt, and that the
latter had endeavored to induce
deponent for a considerable sum
of money to make a false deposition
accusing  Jeff. Davis of
complicity in the assassination 
of President Lincoln.  That after
further explanation and much
persuasion by said Conover, deponent
consented to make the
required affidavit, and was on
the same day taken to the office
of said Pryor and introduced
to him.  That said Pryor explained 
to deponent, as said Conover had
[*6970*]                [*212*]10

previously done, that Judge Holt
had been striving by means of
perjured witnesses to implicate
Mr. Davis in the assassination
of President Lincoln, and thus to 
destroy his, Davis's, life and reputation; 
and that the only way
to frustrate the atrocious designs
of said Holt and punish him
for his inhumanity was to fabricate
affidavits, which, with the
bona fide and truthful evidence
they, the friends of Davis, could
command, would satisfy the
country of said Holt's infamous
conduct, and bring upon him
and the Bureau of Military
Justice such a measure of public
condemnation as to warrant
the President (who desired Mr.
Davis's release) in setting said Davis
at liberty.  That said Pryor also
assured deponent that he, deponent,11

would be liberally compensated
for his services &c., & stated
to deponent the sum he would
receive down on signing and
swearing to the affidavit, and
the sums which he would afterward
receive in certain contingencies.  
That deponent expressed
a willingness to make
the affidavit required and that
it was arranged that Conover
would call with deponent on
the following day, when the documents
&c. would be ready.  That
deponent called with Conover
at the time appointed, and found
the said Benjamin Wood and
Pryor awaiting deponent's arrval,
but the affidavit had not been
prepared — the said Pryor assigning
as a reason that he had not
been able to make up his mind 
what points it was most desirable
[*6971*]                [*213*]12

deponent's affidavit should cover,
and that therefore he wished to
confer with Mess'rs Conover and
Wood on the subject.  That it was
therefore agreed that deponent
should call with Conover again
on the ensuing evening.  That said
Wood remarked that deponent
might like, as an earnest, a little
pocket money, and gave deponent
$50.-  That deponent then departed,
leaving Pryor, Conover, and Wood
together.  That on the following
evening deponent again called
as arranged, but that the affidavit
had not been prepared;
Pryor on this occasion making various
excuses for the delay, and
promising that the papers should
be ready two days later without
fail.

Deponent further says that during
this interview Conover and Pryor13

had a conversation in regard to
some newspaper publications,
and either Conover or Pryor (deponent
does not remember which)
asked deponent to copy a letter
on the back of a Quartermaster's
blank order for transportation,
which deponent did, and which
letter was a day or two later
published in connection with
several others in the New York
Herald. 

Deponent further says that after
leaving the office of said Pryor
on the last mentioned occasion,
and reflecting on what he had
seen and the conversation he
had heard and overheard between
Conover and Pryor, deponent
became satisfied that there was
mischief which he could not
fathom on foot, and he became
uneasy lest he by doing what
[*6972*]                [*214*]14

they required of him, should
get involved in some difficulty
which might end in his destruction; 
and deponent therefore
resolved to have further to do
with the arrangements of said
parties, and that deponent endeavored
to keep out of their
way.  That said Conover,
however, sought deponent and
endeavored to press him to perform
his promise to make said
affidavit, but that deponent told
said Conover frankly of his fears,
and absolutely refused to proceed
any further in said business.  That
deponent proposed to return to
said Wood the said $50-, advanced
by him as aforesaid to deponent,
but that Conover said "No", that
the money was of no consequence,
and that all they, Davis's friends,
would expect or ask was, that15

deponent should as a man of
honor remain perfectly silent as
to the business in which they were
engaged and the offers they had
made to him.  That deponent
assured said Conover that he, said
deponent, would never utter one
word in regard to the affair without
his, Conover's consent; and
that up to this time deponent
has substantially kept his said
promises. 
                John Martin.
Sworn to before me
this 17th day of May 1867
    Morris K. Barker, 
      Notary Public,
    City & County of N. Y.

State of New York.                  }
City & County of New York.   }  SS.

I, William C. Conner, Clerk
of the City and County of New 
[*6973*]                [*215*]16

York, and also Clerk of the
Supreme Court for the said City
and County, being a Court of
Record, do hereby certify that
Morris K. Barker, before whom
the annexed deposition was taken
was, at the time of taking the
same a Notary Public, of New York,
dwelling in said city and county,
duly appointed and sworn and
authorized to administer oaths
to be used in any Court in said
State, and for general purposes;
and that his signature thereto is
genuine, as I verily believe.
    In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of the said Court and
County, the 17th day of May 1867.
                Wm. C. Conner
                   Clerk.
Rev.
Stamp
5¢

Seal.17

City & Country of New York.  ss.
    James E. Matterson, of said
City, being duly sworn, deposes
and says, that he is acquainted
with Benjamin Wood, formerly
proprietor of the N. Y. Daily News;
Dick Taylor, ex-general in the
rebel army; Roger A. Pryor, late
of Virginia, now a resident of
this city; and Charles A. Dunham
sometimes known as Sanford
Conover, Counselor at Law in
this city; and Nathan Auser,
of Cold Spring, Long Island, in
the State of New York.
    Affiant further says, that
about the middle of July, 1866,
he attended a meeting and conference
at the office of said Pryor
in Liberty Street in said City, at
which all the above named persons,
with the exception of said
Taylor, were present; and that
[*6974*]                [*216*]18

affiant has read the affidavit
of said Nathan Auser, hereto
annexed and marked "A", in
which said Auser describes what
transpired, and details what was
said at said meeting by said Wood,
Pryor, and himself; and that the
matters so set forth in said affidavit
by said Auser are in all
respects correct and true.
    Affiant further says that several
days before said meeting at the
office of said Pryor, he was called
on by said Conover, who, after reminding
him of some favors received
by him at the hands of said Conover,
asked affiant if he, (Conover) could
depend on affiant to do him a
favor — that affiant replied that
he was indebted to him, said Conover,
for many favors, and that if
he could in any way reciprocate,
it would afford him pleasure to19

do so. That said Conover then
stated that the favor he required
would render it necessary for
affiant to stretch his conscience
a little, but that the world would
have no knowledge of the subject,
and that affiant would get well
paid for the sin. That affiant
replied that he wanted no pay
for doing a favor, and that he
was willing to do anything
which would not be criminal
and involve him in difficulty.
That said Conover then stated
that he had been engaged in obtaining
for judge Holt witnesses
to implicate Jeff. Davis in the
assassination of President Lincoln,
and that some of the witnesses
having turned out to be bogus,
 judge Holt had become alarmed,
and in order to screen himself
from suspicion and censure, had
[*6975*]                [*217*]20

decoyed said Conover into a trap
before the Judiciary Committee,
endeavoring to ruin him, and
had employed to villians called
Campbell and Snevel to
"dog him" about town with a
view of causing his arrest. That
he was determined not to be
crushed by Judge Holt or any
other man if he could help it,
and that if he had to fall he
would drag his enemy down
with him— that he therefore desired
affiant to make an affidavit
stating that Judge Holt
had endeavored to suborn affiant
to make a false deposition, implicating
Jefferson David in the
assassination and that affiant
had refused. That said Conover
also stated to affiant that the
hostility of Judge Holt had forced
him, Conover, to enter the service21

of Jeff Davis's friends, and that
they were endeavoring to procure
affidavits to implicate Davis,
by means of bogus witnesses, in
the assassination of Pres. Lincoln,
and that therefore affiant would
be serving them as well as himself,
and that they would pay
affiant liberally for the service.
That said Conover then directed
affiant to meet him on the
following evening at the Hone
House in this city, which affiant
did, and afterward accompanied
said Conover and a gentleman
named Bishop, who was with
Conover at the time, to the New
York Hotel, where he would
introduce affiant to Generals
Taylor, Pryor, and other friends
of Davis. Affiant further says
that at the New York Hotel, said
Bishop and himself were introduced
[*6976*]                [*218*]21 1/2

to said Pryor & Benjamin
Wood and several other persons,
whose names he does not now
recollect, but that said Taylor
had not arrived. That after
some preliminary conversation
between Conover and the other
parties present, Pryor said to
affiant and said Bishop, "I
suppose, Gentlemen, Mr Conover
has explained to you the object
of our obtaining affidavits
from you. The Judge Advocate
General has been for a long time
thirsting for the blood of Mr.
Davis, and has been plotting
not only to deprive him of his
life, but of his reputation as
an honorable man and a Christian.
He has hired and paid
a hoard of perjurers, who stand
ready to swear away Mr. Davis's
life and character, and the only22

way we can frustrate his villianous
scheme is to fight him
with his own weapons. By a
thousand of the blackest lies
ever concoted he is trying to
drag Mr. Davis to the gallows,
and we must therefore resort
to falsehoods to thwart his purpose
and punish him for his
villiany. The man who would
swear falsely, as the tools employed
by Holt have done, to
deprive a man of his life is the
greatest scoundrel conceivable;
but the man who is willing to
stretch his conscience in swearing
to matters to thwart the designs
of the bloodthirsty conspirators
and perjurers, and save
their intended victim's life, deserves
all praise. But in making
the affidavits we desire of
you, of course no  one outside
[*6977*]                [*219*]23

of ourselves here, whose interest
it will always be to remain
silent on the subject, will ever
know or suspect that your affidavits
are in any respect
untrue. And if we are
required to make any use of
your affidavits so as to bring
your names before the public,
it will do you no injury, as it
will make you appear as honorable
and honest men in having
rejected the golden offers of
Judge Holt to aid in his atrocious
scheme. At the same time
we do not wish this service from
you for nothing."
    Affiant then further says
that Pryor and Wood then explained
that we, affiant and said Bishop,
would receive $300- each on making
the affidavits, and $300- more in
case it should be deemed necessary24

to publish them or make any
public use of them, and $1000-
additional in case affiant or
said Bishop or either should be
called on to reiterate the statements
in the affidavits on any trial or
in any legal proceedings.
    Affiant further says that said
Bishop and himself having consented
to make the required
affidavits on the terms and conditions
above mentioned, it was
arranged that they should accompany
Conover on the next
day but one to the office of
said Pryor, when the affidavits
would be ready for their signatures.
    Affiant further says that in
the early part of said interview,
whisky was brought on the table,
around which most of those
present were sitting, and that
after it had been agreed by affiant
[*6978*]                [*220*]25.

and said Bishop to make
the desired affidavits, the conversation
became quite general, and
that it appeared from such conversation
to be confidently believed
by the friends of Davis that they
would be able by the course they
were pursuing to so far invoke
popular condemnation on Judge
Holt and his proceedings as to
ensure the success of the movement
then being made and about
to be most vigorously pressed
for Davis's release.
    Affiant further says that on
the day appointed he accompanied
said Conover & said Auser
(the said Bishop having failed to
keep his appointment to meet
said Conover) to the office of
said Pryor for the purpose of making
the said affidavits, as agreed,
and that after the refusal of said

26

Auser to make the affidavits
of him and he had departed,
said Pryor proceeded to read to
affiant the affidavits prepared
for him. That said affidavits
alleged that Judge Holt had
endeavored by offering a large
sum of money, to induce affiant
to make a false deposition
implicating Jefferson Davis in
the assassination of President
Lincoln, and set out with great
particularity conversations purporting
to have occurred between
Judge Holt and affiant, and
the persuasion purporting to
have been used by Judge Holt
to prevail on affiant to make
the desired deposition, which said
affidavit alleged affiant consented
to do, but which at the
same time affiant did not intend
to and never did do.
[*6979*]                [*221*]27

    And affiant further says
that after the affidavit had been
read to him by said Pryor, he
assented thereto, and the same
was subscribed and sworn to by
him before a Commissioner of
Deeds or Notary Public who was
brought into the office of said
Pryor for the purpose, and that
affiant then and there received
$300- for the service. —
    And affiant further says
that after the making of said
affidavit he several times with
said Conover met said Pryor and
Wood, and was introduced to several
other friends of Davis, including
General Dick Taylor, and
that several weeks after the making
of said affidavit he was requested
to make and did make
another affidavit, which was
substantially the same as the
28

first, but set our more elaborately
and with greater particularity
the conversation alleged
to have occurred between Judge
Holt and affiant on the occasion
of the alleged effort by
Judge Holt to induce affiant
to make a false deposition, as
aforesaid, implicating Jefferson
Davis in the assassination of
President Lincoln.
    And affiant further says
that the affidavits so made by
him were false in every respect;
that affiant never received any
request or offer of reward from
Judge Holt or any other person
to make a deposition implicating
Jefferson Davis or any one else
in the assassination, and he
never saw Judge Holt in his
life, and never made an affidavit
for any one in regard to
[*6980*]                [*222*]29

Jefferson Davis or the murder
of Abraham Lincoln.
    Affiant further says that
in making said affidavits for
Pryor and others, he did not feel
that he was outraging the laws
either of God or Man; that he
believed from the statements &
representations of Conover, Pryor,
and others, and from articles
which appeared in the newspapers,
that an atrocious & murderous
conspiracy had been formed
with Judge Holt at its
head to convict and shed the
blood of Mr. Davis on the gallows
by means of bogus witnesses
and false testimony, and that
affiant believed that he was
performing a humane, Christian
act in assisting in this way,
the only way as alleged possible
to defeat the diabolical machinations30

of the supposed conspirators.
    James E. Matterson
Sworn to before me
   March 27. 1867
   William Furniss
      Notary Public
   in the County of N. Y.

   State of New York               }
City & County of New York   }  ss.
    I, William C. Conner,
Clerk of the City and County
of New York, and also Clerk of
the Supreme Court for the said
City and County, being a Court
of Record, do hereby certify, that
William Furniss, before whom
the annexed deposition was
taken, was, at the time of
taking the same, a Notary Public
of New York, dwelling in said
City and County, duly appointed
[*6981*]                [*223*]31

and sworn and authorized
to administer oaths to
be used in any Court in said
State, and for general purposes,
and that his signature thereto
is genuine, as I verily believe.
    In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand, and
affixed the seal of the said
Court and County, the 17th day
of May, 1867.
                Wm. C. Conner,
                    Clerk.

Rev.
stamp
[?]¢

Seal.32

City & County of New York.  ss.
    Nathan Auser, of Cold
Spring, Queens County, in the
State of New York, being duly
sworn, deposes and says, that
he knows and is well acquainted
with Benjamin Wood, late
proprietor of the New York Daily
News; Mr. Dick Taylor, ex general
in the rebel army; and Roger A.
Pryor, late of Virginia, now an
Attorney and Counselor at Law,
in this city; and Charles A.
Dunham, (sometimes known as
Sanford Conover) Attorney and
Counselor at Law, in the State
of New York. Deponent further
says that about the middle of
July, 1866, he was present by invitation
from Conover, at an
interview (at which James
Matterson was also present)
between the latter and the said
[*6982*]                [*224*]33

Benjamin Wood and Roger A.
Pryor, at the office of said Pryor,
95 Liberty Street in this City; —
That Conover before inviting deponent 
to be present at said 
interview, informed deponent
that the interview was to be held
for the purpose of devising additional
measures to aid the movement
then being made for the
release of Jefferson Davis, and
that deponent would probably
be able, by making a deposition,
to render service in the matter
for which a liberal compensation
would be made.
     Deponent further says that
after being introduced to said
Pryor and Wood, the former proposed
to read, and did read, to
deponent two affidavits which
had been previously prepared
for deponent to swear to — That34

one of said affidavits alleged
and set forth at great length
that deponent had in February
1866, been taken by said Conover
before the Hon. Joseph Holt,
Judge Advocate General, of the
Armies of the United States,
and had been requested & urged
by said Conover and said Judge
Advocate General to make a
false and fabricated deposition
under the fictitious name of George
Waddell, implicating Jefferson
Davis in the assassination of
President Lincoln — That said
affidavit set forth that deponent,
when requested by Conover
and Judge Holt to make the
deposition, as in said affidavit
alleged, expressed fears and conscientious
scruples in opposition
thereto, and that Judge Holt
assured deponent that the proceedings
[*6983*]                [*225*]35

would not be attended
with any danger, as the
making of such a deposition
would not amount to legal
perjury, and could scarcely
be said to amount to moral
perjury; that it would be at
most what is sometimes called
a "white lie"; and that the
most honorable men have sometimes
found it necessary to do
a little evil in order that much
good might come — That it was
not expected to use the deposition
in any proceedings against Jefferson
Davis, as it was evident
from the course being pursued by
the President that he would never
order a trial for Davis on account
of his complicity in the assassination.
That all that was left of
the rebellion was centered in
Davis, and that the depositions36

he (Holt) was collecting, would
go upon the files of the Bureau
of Military Justice, and form
a solemn part of the history of
the rebellion, so that, although
Davis would escape with his life,
he would be branded in history
as an assassin and covered with
everlasting infamy.— Deponent
further says that the other of
said affidavits read to him
by Pryor, and to which he was
requested to subscribe and swear,
set forth the testimony which
deponent had given before the
Military Commission on the
trial of the assassins, in regard
to threats and violence by rebels
in Montreal, Canada, towards
Conover for having given testimony
for the government before
said Military Commission; and
that said affidavit alleged that
[*6984*]                [*226*]37

that the testimony given by deponent
as aforesaid was fabricated
and false, and was fabricated
by Conover and Judge
Holt, and was known by Judge
Holt to be false in every particular,
and was given by deponent
before the Commission,
as aforesaid, at the instance and
request of Judge Holt, who having
helped to fabricate it, and
knowing it to be false, as aforesaid,
promised to pay, and did
pay, deponent liberally for so
doing — Deponent further says
that after said affidavits had
been read to him by said Pryor,
he said to said Pryor & others
present that there was not a
word of truth in either of the
papers, and that he did not see,
although Conover had attempted
to explain to him, what good38

was to come to any one from
his swearing to such a pack
of lies. That Pryor replied that
much good, and nothing but
good would come from it.
That Judge Holt was endeavoring
to fasten the fault and crime
of procuring bogus witnesses upon
Conover, and that the affidavit
deponent was required to make
would therefore protect Conover,
and fasten the outrageous business
upon Holt. That in the next
place the affidavits would aid
the movement then being made
for the release of Mr Davis,
who had been outrageously treated,
by bringing condemnation
upon Judge Holt and the Bureau
of Military Justice, which
would induce the President to
pardon Mr. Davis, or release
him on parole; and also, that
[*6985*]                [*227*]39

it would save deponent much
pain and trouble, as it was
known that deponent had assisted
in hunting up & inducing
certain parties to make false
depositions in the Bureau of
Military Justice against Mr. Davis,
and had been determined by the
friends of Mr Davis to prosecute
[him] for perjury and subornation
of perjury all engaged in that
business who did not come forward
and confess under oath that
all they had done had been done
with the knowledge and procurement
of Judge Holt for the avowed
purpose of branding Jefferson Davis
as an assassin and covering his
name with infamy. What at this
point Benjamin Wood interrupted
Mr. Pryor — "Yes, and you
benefit yourself still further by
taking the money which you will40

receive for making the affidavits."
Deponent further says that it
was then stated to him by Wood
and Pryor that deponent would
receive $300 upon swearing to
said affidavits, and if it should
become necessary to publish them
or either of them, or make any
public allusions thereto in which
deponent's name should be mentioned,
he (deponent) would receive
on the day of publication
$300 more, and in the event of
his being called upon to sustain
the averments in his affidavits, 
or either of them, in
a court of justice, or any legal
proceedings, that he should receive
$1000 in addition to the sums
so promised or paid to him.
Deponent further says that he
then replied to the propositions
and promises of Pryor and Wood,
[*6986*]                [*228*]41

that while he was ready to do
any thing in his power to get
a friend out of a difficulty
or protect himself, that he
would see Jefferson Davis in hell
before he would swear to such
d—d lies as required of him,
to save his (Jeff Davis's) neck
from the gallows. That deponent
then said so that all
present could hear, addressing
his words to Conover, that he
could protect himself and
Conover also by seeing Judge
Holt, and that he would do
so at once, for he believed
there was danger of getting
into a greater difficulty by
the course proposed, and was
bound "not to put his foot
in it" if it would save every
rebel, from Jeff. Davis down.
Deponent further says that42

Pryor then rose and said "well,
if you decline to help your friends
out of the difficulty which you
have helped them to get into, you
are at least a gentleman, we
understand, who will not repeat
anything that has been
said to you or any portion of
the conversation which has confidentially
taken place in your
presence." That deponent replied
that he should have nothing
to say on the subject, and
that as he declined to take any
part in the business, that he
would take his leave. That
deponent then left the office
of said Pryor, leaving said Wood,
Pryor, and Conover, and said
James Matterson thereat.
    Deponent further says, that he
became a party to said interview
at the request of Mr. Dunham
[*6987*]                [*229*]43

(Conover) who had given him
to understand that he (deponent)
could, by making a deposition,
sustain him (Conover) in a
quarrel which had arisen between
him and Judge Holt, and assist
him (Conover) in a professional
engagement to aid by harmless
artifice and stratagem a movement
alleged to be on foot with
the knowledge and approbation
of President Johnson to ensure
the release of Jefferson Davis
on bail or parole.
    Deponent further says that he
was never introduce by Conover,
or any one else, to Judge Holt
for the purpose of making a
deposition implicating Jefferson
Davis in the assassination of
President Lincoln, and that he
was never requested by Judge
Holt, or any other person, to
44

make a deposition in his own
or any other name, connecting
Jefferson Davis or any other person
with the assassination of
President Lincoln, and that he
never did make such a deposition.
Deponent further says that he
never made a deposition or stated that
the testimony given by him before
said Court for the trial of
the assassins, as aforesaid, was
false; and that he hereby reiterates
and re-affirms that the same
and every part thereof was true.
                Nathan Auser.
Sworn to before me, 
    March 27, 1867
    William Furniss
     Notary Public
    in the County of N. Y.
State of New York                 }
City + County of New York.  }  ss.
[*6988*]                [*230*]45

    I, William C. Conner,
Clerk of the City and County
of New York, and also Clerk of
the Supreme Court for the said
City and County, being a Court
of Record, do hereby certify that
William Furniss, before whom
the annexed deposition was taken,
was, at the time of taking the
same, a Notary Public of New
York, dwelling in said City and
County, duty appointed and
sworn and authorized to administer
oaths to be used in any Court in
said state, and for general purposes,
and that his signature
thereto is genuine, as I verify believe.
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court
& County the 17th day of May, 1867.
                Wm. C. Conner
                    Clerk.

Rev.
stamp
5¢

Seal.War Department
Washington City
March 30th 1867
Sir:
    I have the honor to transmit herewith, for
your information and such action as you may deem
proper, a letter dated "Newmarket Junction, N.H.,
March 25th, 1867" and signed "S. P. Mayberry", in which
reference is made to an alleged correspondence between
Booth and another person shortly before the assassination
of President Lincoln, and a possible service of
evidence relative to John H. Surratt. 
                Your obedient servant,

                Secretary of War.
The Honorable
    Henry Stanbery,
        Attorney General.
[*6989*]                [*231*]War Department,
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
Washington, D. C.,    April 30th 1867.

Bt. Maj. Benl. J. Holt,
Judge Advocate General:
    General:
    I have the honor
to submit the following report of
my proceedings in search of Mr.
Lewis S. Chapman, reported to
be in possession of certain letters
implicating Jefferson Davis in the
plot to assassinate President
Lincoln.
    You having, in January
last, received, through the mail,
a letter purporting to be signed
"L. S. Chapman", stating that the
writer had such letters, and enclosing
alleged copies of two of them; and
a person, whose name appears
in the paper, having represented
[*6990*]                [*232*]2

War Department,
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
Washington, D. C.,   .......................186

to you that he was acquainted
with a man named Lewis S. Chapman
who was a citizen of Mississippi,
and had been a refugee in Canada
and had been married there, &c &c,
all which will more fully appear
by reference to the paper; and the
Judiciary Committee of the House of
Representatives having thought best
that the information should be
followed up, with a view to secure
such better if in existence;— the said
papers, which are herewith returned
in a sealed envelope marked "A.",
were placed in my hands, with
your order, a copy of which is
herewith filed marked "B.", directing
me to pursue the inquiry.
    In obedience thereto, I3

War Department,
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
Washington, D. C.,   .......................186

left Washington on the 2d day of March
for Mississippi and proceeded 
to Jackson, near which place, or
near Vicksburg, Chapman was
reported to have gone.
     I spent some days in and
about Jackson and Vicksburg;
but, diligent inquiries, addressed
to old residents, of intelligence and
integrity, well acquainted with all
the inhabitants of Hinds and
Warren Counties, failed to discover
any man of the name given, altho'
several families of the same surname
were found.
     Becoming satisfied that
no such man resided there, I
resolved to proceed to the place
of the alleged marriage, in Canada,
[*6991*]                [*233*][3]     4

War Department,
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
Washington, D. C.,   .......................186


and, if possible, find the relations
of the reputed wife; and I so
telegraphed the Judge Advocate
General, as will appear in the 
dispatch herewith filed and marked
"C." and "D."
     This course was approved.
See telegram of the Judge Advocate
General, dated March 22. 1867,
filed, marked "E."
     Among the persons in the
state of Mississippi to whom my 
inquiries were addressed, may be
particularly mentioned Mr. Kausler
Postmaster at Jackson and Mr.
Barnett P. M. at Vicksburg; while
I also saw Gen. Gillem, the military
commander of the District, and
applied to hotel=keepers and citizens
generally for the desired information.
[*6991a*]                [*233a*][4]    5

War Department,
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
Washington, D. C.,   .......................186

    Having stopped at St Louis
for consultation with A. Burwell Esq.
a loyal lawyer, formerly of Vicksburg,
with whom you had instituted me
to confer, I made my way to Brock,
in Canada West, a township in the
north part of Ontario County, which
I reached on the 2d of April.
    The marriage of Chapman
had been represented as having taken
place at the residence of the bride's
father — Robert McClain and the
ceremony was stated to have
been performed by Rev. James McClery.
The people there are Scotch and I
found numerous McLeans; but no
Robert; and no person such as those
sought was to be heard of throughout
a diligent search among a sparse population.
[*6992*]                [*234*]6
War Department
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE
Washington, D. C., _______________186
Among the parties applied
to for information, I mention Mr. 
Richard Edwards, who has a store
at Manilla — a village in Brock —
and who is treasurer of the township
and of the town Agricultural Society,
and a memorandum of whose
statement is herewith marked "7."
Also, Mr McDonald, and the inn keepers
at Oakwood and  Manilla and
the family of Mr. Horne the town
assessor.
I likewise made personal 
inspection of the last assessment=role
of the township, but without 
finding the name of Robert McClain
nor Robert McSean.
     In short, I became satisfied
that the marriage notice was a fabrication.
[*6992-a*]7

    Now then, as a son of Mr.
Burwell at St. Louis had stated that
he thought one of the sons of Dr.
John S. Chapman late of Washington
County, Miss., bore the name of
Lewis and as Mr. Burwell had
undertaken to ascertain the
whereabouts of the widow of Dr.
Chapman, I thought proper to
return west and follow up any
clew thus attainable.
    On reaching St. Louis,
April 19th, I found that Mr Burwell
had learned that Mr. Chapman
resided in Nashville, Tennessee.
(See letter marked "G.") He also
told me that this was the only
family of which he had, in a
life-long residence in Mississippi,
ever known, to which any such
person as the one I was hunting
could, he thought, belong.
[*6993*]                [*234a*]8

    I proceeded to Nashville
and thus ascertained that the
children of the lady named were
all under eighteen years of age
and unmarried: that the issue
of a former marriage of Dr.
Chapman were their children
called John, Caroline and Frederick;
that none had ever been
married and that John alone
survived.
    Thus having exhausted the only
remaining basis of inquiry, I
returned to Washington.
    I made the whole trip in
citizens dress and without my official
character being known to any one
except Mr. Burwell.
            Very respectfully
             Your obedient servant
                E. W. Dennis.
               Bvt. Col. Judge Adv.
                  U. S. A.Dr. James B. Merritt of Canada
West, being examined by Gen. Fry, makes
the following statement:

    Either in October or November, but I
think it was just before the Presidential election,
I was in Toronto, C. W. I met George Young
and a man named Ford, whose given name
I do not know. Ford was a deserter from the
Federal Army and I think belonged to a
Kentucky regiment. I also met one Graves
from Louisville, Ky. I do not know his
given name. He is between 25 and 28 years
of age, tolerably thick set, with full, round
features and rather sandy complexion; he
is a sot, a very hard drinker. George Young
asked me if I had seen Col. Steel just
before I came away. I told him I had
seen him. Young wanted to know if Col.
Steel had said anything to me about any
arrangements that were being made for
raids. I told him no. He then said to
me "there is something on the tapis now
of much more importance than any raids
we can make. It has been "determined
that Old Abe shall never serve another
[*6994*]                [*235*]term as President". I asked him why he
thought so. he said the Southerners were
dissatisfied with him, called him a tyrant
and used various other names, and he
said that he (Mr. Lincoln) never would be
inaugurated if he was elected. I asked him
how he knew. He replied "I know we
have got friends in Washington and he
never will be inaugurated". A few days
after that to Montreal and was introduced to
G W Sanders I saw Col. Steel in Windsor and in in company with him. He and his
nephew were in Windsor opposite Detroit.
Col. Steele lives at Windsor on a farm
owned by the Hon. Mr. Rankin, who is a
member of the Provisional Parliament from
that section of country. The principal men
at that point were Col. Steel and a man
called Capt. Scott, whose nephew was one of the St.
Albans' raiders. He is the man who owned
the property where Camp Nelson stands in
Kentucky. I spoke to Steel and asked
him what was going to be done about
the Presidential election. The expression he
used in reply was "the God damned old
tyrant never will serve another term". I
thought no more about it just at that
time. Preparations were being made to go
to New York. But in February I was inMontreal and there I heard the matter
talked over and there appeared to be no
great amount of reserve in it except so far
as individualizing the parties. I heard the
matter talked of killing the Heads of Departments,
the President, Vice President, Cabinet,
and leading generals in the Army. Sanders
said at that time "there is any amount of
money here in Canada to accomplish that
purpose". He said he had received a letter
of communication from Richmond that
justified him in making any arrangements
that he could to effect that purpose, in other
words, he had got a letter from Mr. Davis,
the President of their Confederacy, stating
that if the people themselves in Canada
and those who were Southerners in the
States, were dogs enough to be controlled
by such a tyrant as Lincoln, he did not
wish to recognize them at all in any way,
and that if Lincoln and Stanton and
Genl Dix could be got out of the way
that things would take a different turn,
and that he was well satisfied that it
would satisfy the people of the North
that they [the rebels] had friends in the
North and a peace might perhaps be
[*6995*]                [*236*]obtained on more favorable terms than
what could be if Lincoln was permitted
to continue his reign, or something to that
effect. Sanders had this from Davis,
and Sanders showed the letter to Steel,
to [Clay] Hill, to George Young, and to Scott.
He had the letter at that time. I did
not read it.
            By Genl. Fry.
Q.  Did you see the letter?
A.  I saw the outside of it.
Q.  Did the others read it in your presence?
A.  They did.
Q.  Did they discuss it in your presence?
A.. The discussed it some. They were
discussing the best method to accomplish
it and Sanders said "we will have no
difficulty, I think, in getting our friends to
engage in this matter. I am fully satisfied
of that". Then he mentioned over the
names of some 15 or 20 persons who
would undertake it at any time. Among
them he mentioned the names of George
Harper, Henry Caldwell, and a man
of Randall, I do not know his given
name.
Q.  Did you understand these persons to
[*6995-a*]                [*236-a*]be in Canada?
A.  They were there at that time. Caldwell
and Harper are both citizens of
Richmond.
Q.  Are those the only names?
A.  There were various other names.
Q.  Did you hear them mention any of
the names of persons who have since been
connected with the assassination?
A.  Yes, sir. Booth's named was mentioned
and Harold was called Harrison.
Q.  Are you sure he is the man called
Harrison?
A.  I judge so from the description.
Booth was in Montreal at the time. He
had been there twice in February.
Q.  Did you ever see Booth?
A.  Yes. I saw him in Canada in
November. [x]
Q.  Did you see him at the time you
speak of?
A.  No, I did not see him in February,
but his name was mentioned very
prominently there for the reason that he
was a cousin, or Sanders said he [Booth] was
connected with Beall, and was either a
first or second cousin to Beall. This was
[*6996*]                [*237*]in February that Sanders made use of
these words and said that "Booth feels all
than anybody can feel in his soul and body
in this matter".  I understood Sanders to 
say to the party at that time that Lincoln
would not be inaugurated and that it was
an easy matter, as Johnson was such a 
sot, to dispose of him in some of his
drunken reveries.  There was a bitter 
animosity expressed among those men against
Mr. Seward, for the reason that there had 
been vigorous efforts made on the part of
the Confederate State to bring about a war
between the United States and England, and
through the energy and far-seeing skill
of Mr. Seward all their efforts had been
thwarted, and they felt if they could get
Seward out of the way that they could
bring about difficulty between the United 
States and England, by which they could 
divide the forces of the North, — one to
fight England and one to fight the 
South, and thus effectually destroy the
Government.  That was the policy — to
exhaust the resources of the country.

Q.  Did you give the names of all the
persons present at this interview in February?A.     Oh no.  There were some 10 or 12,
perhaps 15.
Q.     Can you recall any other names?
A.     I can of a good many of them by
thinking a little.
Q.     Try and give them?
A.     Benedict was one.  C.D. Kirk was
another.  Kirk and Benedict both escaped
from the military prison in Cincinnati
in August.  Kirk was a correspondent of 
a Louisville paper and entered the Southern
Army at the breaking out of the rebellion
and was a prisoner in Cincinnati a
year and then made his escape.  Benedict
was a commissioned officer in the Southern
Army.  That is all of them that were there.
I do not Know Benedict's given name.
Q.     Were there any more of the prominent
men?
A.     Clay was not there.  He was in
Toronto in November.  Tucker, I never saw.
Sanders was the presiding genius of the
meeting.
Q.     What occasioned this meeting, was 
it accidental, or called, or what?
A.     The meeting was called with a view
to take into consideration some measures
[*6997*]                [*238*]to effect the release of the St. Albans'
raiders. That was the avowed object of
the meeting.
Q.  How were the persons notified of
that meeting; by Sanders or in what way?
Do you recollect?
A.  Capt. Scott is the man that told me
of the meeting.
Q.  Was there any written notification
of the meeting?
A.  Not that I know of. They expressed
very great regret that one Smith and one
Drake had left, that Drake was just
the man for the business. Drake was
of Morgan's command.
Q.  Is it Drake or Duke?
A.  I do not know that Duke had
anything to do with it. Drake was of
Morgan's command and went to the
Chicago Convention with a lot of men
from Windsor with a view of making
a disturbance and releasing the prisoners
at Camp Douglas.
Q.  Was that the last interview?
A.  That is the last interview I had
with Sanders. That is the last I knew
about that.Q.  Before you leave that. What do you
know about his having actually and directly
furnished money to these parties?
A.  I know that he said "we have got
any amount of money to carry this thing
through". Whether he ever gave a man a
dollar or not, I do not know. It was,
I think, on the Wednesday night previous
to the 10th of April that I got this
information, and it was about the 10th
of April that I told Squire Davidson about
it. I was in Toronto, I went there on
Wednesday, and went to the American
Hotel, and I met a gentleman from our
place named Mr. McCruar, a minister,
on the side walk as I was going. We went
back and I introduced him to some gentlemen
there and told him I would take
him to the Masonic Lodge, but he would
not stay. I met George Young the next
morning. But on that same evening I
met Harper, Caldwell, and Randall.
I was going to the theatre, and Harper
came up to me and said, "Doc how are
you", said I, "I am quite well". He said
"Wont you take a walk to night". I said
"No, I think I will go to the theatre".
[*6998*]                [*239*]He said, "You had better go with us". A
man who went by the name of Captain
Hutchison was with me. He was formerly
in the Provost Marshal's office at Louisville
with Capt. Dunn. He was attached to that
office and was in Toronto. They called him
Captain but I believe he was but a lieutenant
in one of the Kentucky regiments. After we
left Harper, he said "do you know who
that man [Harper] is, he is one of the most
notorious rebels there is in this country".
I answered, "I am a rebel too". Said he
"that is all right, I suppose". The next
morning I went to the Queen's Hotel
and there met Harper, Caldwell, Randall,
Charles Holt, Ford, Brown, who was a
Canadian, and a fellow called Texas,
and I judge, from the description that
you gave of a certain person, that he
must be the man. They said there
that a party would start right off
for Washington. I said to Caldwell
"are you going?" Said he, "Yes, I am going",
and Harper said he was going. I
asked who else was going. I forget
whether Ford said he was going or not,
but I do not think he did. I said,"how many of you are going". He
answered "some 15 or 20 of us are going
to pick up a perfect row and muss
there". I went away. Afterwards I met
Harper on the corner. He said "Doctor
if you do not hear of the death of
Lincoln, Stanton, Grant, and Dix in
less than ten days, put me down as a
fool. He did not mention Seward's name
then. I do not know that he mentioned it
at all. I do not think Seward's name
was mentioned at all except by Sanders,
so far as I remember. I asked Harper
if he had ever been to Washington, and
if he was thoroughly acquainted, and
he answered that he  [*√*]  knew parties there
who were acquainted and he mentioned
Booth and Surratt. After I left there
I went up into Galt, about 12 miles
from where I live and I found Harper
had been to the place where he was
working and started away. That was on
Saturday, after I left Toronto, previous to
the 10th of April. Caldwell left his place
also. I went down to Davidson's on
Monday to give the information. I did
not wish to bring myself into it, but
[*6999*]                [*240*]I said to Davidson, "if these men were
arrested and then make known what the
charge was for, it would create such a
furore and excitement that they would be
afraid to proceed. Said he, in reply, "it is
supremely absurd" or something like that.
I was in Galt on Saturday but he was
not at home. It was on Monday that I
saw him and gave the information.
Q.  Did you hear Harrold's name
mentioned?
A.  Harrison was the name he went
by.
Q.  Surratt went by his own name?
A.  Yes, sir, time and again.
Q.  And you are satisfied that the
man called Harrison is Harrold?
A.  I am satisfied that the man
called Harrison is Harrold, from his
description.
Q.  Did you ever see him?
A.  Yes, sir, I have seen him.
Q.  Give your recollection of him.
Have you seen his photograph?
A.  No, sir.
Q.  Do you think you would know it
if you saw it?
[*6999-a*]A.  I think I should.
Q.  State his size and general appearance?
A.  He is a man rather thick set, not a
very heavy man, I should think he was
5 feet, 5 or 6 inches high, and with quite a
boyish look about him. He was coaxing
out a little moustache when I saw him. I
should not think he was over 25 years
of age, and he is a sort of loose, rolling,
rollicking, dont-care sort of a fellow with
a shiftless manner of moving.
Q.  [Exhibiting to witness a photograph of
Harrold.] Is that the man?
A.  That is the man.
Q.  Do you know Surratt?
A.  I never saw Surratt to know him.
He was pointed out to me, and at that
time had a moustache. But I have seen
Harrold two or three times. That is the
man that went by the name of Harrison
when I saw him.
Q.  Did you hear anything of this
after the last interview you had with
those parties after the 10th of April?
A.  Not until after the deed was committed.
Q.  Then what did you hear?
[*6999-b*]George A. Atzerodt
 John Fletcher                         299 "E" St
 J Greenwalt                            Pennsylvania House
 Robert H Murray                   U.S. [Mar.?] New York
 Brock Stabler                         454 "G" Street
 John Mc Loyd                         Old Capitol
B.T. Queen                               604 "8" St
   Garther                                  Cent. Guard House

James L Maddox
Margaret Roysea                    rear of Fords Theater   
Mary A Turner                                  "         "         "
[*7000   241*]Dr Samuel A Mudd
Statement of Dr S.A. Mudd
Frank Washington (col)              Old Capitol
Thomas Davis                                "       "

Michael O'Laughlin
Sarg Samuel R. J. Street                   Camp Stonemen
Daniel Laughran                            [Celo]

Edward Spangler
Mary A Turner                              rear of Ford Theater
Joe Simmis                                                      "           "
James B Ferguson                        next to "Fords"

[*7001*]                       [*242*]David C. Herold

John Fletcher                                 299 "E" St.
John L Loyd                                   Old Capitol
Osborn Swan                                  "        " 
Dr. Saml A Mudd                            "        " 
J Gunewalt                                   Pennsylvania House
Brooke Stabler                             454 G St
Peter Tallabond                           one Son from Old Capitol
Silas F Cobb                                   8 F. Man.: Hy Cut.
Polk Gardner                                 Hills Landing  Pr. Geo. Co
Alexis Thomas                              Old Capitol 
Benj T. Queene                             604 "8" St
[John Fletch]

Capt Samuel Cox
D. A. Hanover                                 Old Capitol 
Osborn Swann                               Old Capitol 
[*7002*]    [*243*]Conspiracy

H. V. Steinecker                                   Old Capitol
John Devenny                                      Kirkwood
          Buck                                            331 "7" St
William A Cook                                    Mass Ave near 10
Joseph M Dye                                      Camp Barry Wash.
L. H. Bunnell
Sergt Saml K. Street                               Camp Stoneman
Dr. James B. Merritt
J.S. Simonds
Samuel K Chester                                 Old Capitol
Louis J. Weichman                                "  " 
John M. Loyd                                         "  " 
Rudolph F. Rose
William Gabriel                                      Old Capitol
George Young                                        "  " 
Sergt James C. HallMrs Mary Surratt

Miss Annie Surratt                              Old Capitol 
Miss Nora Fitzpatrick                           "   " 
John Mc Loyd                                         "   " 
Mr. J. Wyckman                                     "   " 
[Major?]  HW Smith                             Genl. Angiers Hd Qu. 
R.C. Morgan                                          Col Alcott's N.Y.
        Holaban                                         Old Capitol 
Susan [Mabiney?]                                  "   " 

[*7003a*]            [*244a*]                Objection.
It is alleged that this Military Commission
has no jurisdiction to try [and punish] the accused.
The objection is constitutional.
Negative.
It s impossible, we think, to invent an
argument in support of this negative proposition
that is not, directly or indirectly,
founded upon the well known Articles V
and VI of the Constitution. To all such
arguments, the answer is, in our opinion,
that the prohibition in Art. V is applica.
to a time of peace. If the exception 
forming part of the Art. itself, is not conclusive
upon this point, an illustration will
tend to make it so. To say that it must [is]
[applicable] govern in time of war as in time of peace, [to a time of war] appears to us
equivalent to saying that, if Gen. Sherman,
[*7004*]                [*245*]2

while marching through Georgia, had captured
a spy in his camp, to punish the man,
the General was bound, though in the enemy's
country, to halt, open a civil court,
assemble and empannel a jury of citizens,
have return of a presentment or indictment,
and then proceed to a trial. What an
absurdity!

Affirmative.
    When the rebellion broke out, many good
men trembled — they had been taught by
disciples of the old Federal School, that
the government was too feeble to stand
the test. Four years of awful war have
demonstrated the idleness of this theory. We
have not [all] only a government, but the government
we have is the strongest on earth:
and herein lies its strength.
  To guard the rights of the citizen was the
chief object of the Convention that framed the Constitution. The next
great object was to provide the government to which this guardianship of the rights of the Citizen was entrusted,

3

with powers which would enable it to
maintain itself against unfriendly citizens
and unfriendly nations. What a mockery
it would have been to have built a
wall round about the subject, while the
sovereign was left in the fields, naked,
armless, helpless! Proceeding on that idea
the wise men gave the National Executive
authority to Declare Martial Law and to
Suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus. In
our judgment, [they] these two are the Great self defensive
[measures] resorts of the Government, the outer and
the inner defenses behind which it can retire
when [threatened] put to extremety.

Martial Law.
    If Martial Law can be made General
and of universal operation, it can be made
limited and of local operation. Whether
its declaration shall be general or limited,
is at the discretion of the Executive, subject
to the necessity. In other words, as
[*7005*]                [*246*]4

Martial Law is a substitution of Civil Law,
the National Executive can, by his proclamation,
suspend the exercise of judicial
functions throughout the republic, or in
some of the States, counties or cities only.
The first would certainly be justifiable if
the rebellion was universally prevalent, making
the whole land the theatre of war
or insurrection.

Suspension of the Writ of
  Habeas Corpus.

    When, by the Exective proclamation, Martial
Law is limited in its operation: that
is, when, in some districts or States the
judicial authorities are permitted to exercise
their functions, then it is necessary to suspend
the Writ of Habeas Corpus. This
will more clearly appear by reference to
the fact, that the object of a suspension
of the Writ, is, in time of war or rebellion,
[*7006*]5

to prevent the judicial authorities from interfering
to distract, embarras or thwart,
the progress of military plans.

Conclusions.
It is our understanding, then, that the
two measures were given the Government for
its self-defense: that they were given to
be used by the Executive against traitorous
citizens as well as foreign enemies; [and]
that their joint effect is to suspend the
exercise of judicial functions partially or
totally; according as the Martial Law is
general or limited; and that the question,
whether the necessities of the moment justify
a resort to them, is to be assessed by
the Executive, who is exclusively responsible
for the action and all its consequences.
If these propositions are correct, to make
the application to this case, we are of
opinion, that President Johnson having first
assessed that necessity was sufficient to
[*7007*]                [*247-51*]6

justify a resort to the measures under
consideration, and having, in the next place
ascertained and determined that Martial
Law was legally in operation in the District
of Columbia, and that the Writ of
Habeas Corpus had been legally suspended
could rightfully [order] submit supposed criminals,
whether offending against civil or military
laws within the District, to trial [before] by
a Military or civil court.
We are also of the further opinion
that, Martial Law being prevalent and the
Writ of Habeas Corpus suspended, in the judgment
of President Johnson, and the President
having decided to refer the prisoners at
the bar to trial by him for the purpose,
we have, by virtue of that order, ample
jurisdiction for their trial, and punishment
or acquittal, according to the facts.

7008
Read and [action?]Martha Murray says: she keeps the Herndon
house, it is the corner of 9th and
F streets opposite the patent office,
dont know a young man of the
name of Weichiman; dont know
the Surratts, never heard of them
before; dont know Booth, would
not know him he was shown
to me; dont know Wood, there was
a gentleman came to my house 
enquiring for a person of that
name, this gentleman stopped at
my house for two or three weeks,
the first day he did not come
to dinner, said he did not wish
any; the next morning he did
not come to breakfast; he asked
for a cup of coffee to be sent
to his room; the girl brought him
a cup of coffee to his room [to]
that happened 2 or 3 mornings
in succession; supposed he was
sick, after that he came to the
table the same as any body
else; he went away on Friday
               [*252*]afternoon the night of the murder —
I think he entered his name on
the book as Keusler — the Detective
tore it off — two or three days
before he left two gentlemen
came in and took supper with
him — dont know who these
gentlemen were. (On being shown
the pictures of Surratt, Booth and
Harrold) she says, she does not
know whether they are the
persons that called or not —
I think they were two large dark
haired men, well dressed and
gentlemenly looking. Keusler was
a tall young man with black
hair, no whiskers or moustache —
he wore dark pants, and a bear on
linen coat; a soft hat, dark
color. They might have been some light cloth,
I am not sure; dont know of
Miss Surratt or Mrs Surratt ever coming
to hire rooms for a sick young
man.R.1

Jacob Rittterspach (Jake). I live at the corner of 7th
& G streets at Mrs. Scotts. I am
stage carpenter at Fords Theatre; I have
known Ned Spangler for a year
and a half; he is stage carpenter.
Maddox is property man. I first
know Booth when I see him; I
have seen him play at Fords
Theatre. I was setting the stage in the
morning of the 14th; I helped take
out the partitions in the Presidents
box, Spangler helped and "Peanuts";
nobody else. When we were fixing
it Spangler said he wished that
the lightning would strike that old
son of a bitch, and he said I dont
care a damn. I wish he was in hell
any way. I said you must not
curse a good man, he has never
done you any harm and he
said "I don't care a damn". He
was drunk. I asked who was
coming, he said, Mr. Lincoln,
Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee. I asked
him who told you so, and he said
[*7010-12*]                [*253*]

Ford. Then he began to swear, the
first thing he said, "he wished the
lightning would strike the old son
of a bitch dead". Then he cursed the
rest of them, Grant, Davis, and Lee,
and wished they were all in hell;
he always cursed when he was drunk
but didn't swear when he was
sober. He always called me a Nigger
lover, and we quarreled over it. He
was always one of the hardest kinds of
Copperheads. After setting the box we
set the stage, and it was then about
six o clock. I saw Booth and Ned standing
in front of the theatre between 4 and
5 o clock. Booth asked Ned if he had
a halter — Ned said, "yes", he said,
"what do you want with it", he said he
had borrowed a mare, he said he
had her in the stable — I afterwards
went round to the stable and
found Booth, Ned and Maddox
and "Peanuts" John. It was a
mare, bay. Ned asked if he should
take off the saddle. Booth said "no".
T.1

Francis Tumblety says:
    I reside now in St. Louis, No. 52
Third street — I was arrested last
Friday morning — What I was arrested
for I cant know — I was never
told — I suppose I was arrested for
the reported connection or intimate
acquaintance with Harrold — I dont
know any thing about Harrold,—
I was in Washington for two years,
I came to Washington the first of
the war in 1861. I think it was
in the latter part of the season
or early in the fall. My business
place was on the corner of
Seventh street, and Pennsylvania
Avenue, in the Washington building.
I dont know as I had any particular
acquaintance with any person here
except patients — no person except
persons I furnished medcine to —
I never made the acquaintance of
any woman here — I had a boy
by the name of Mark A. Blackburn,
He remained over four years with
[*7013*]                [*254*]me — I was in the habit of
buying drugs in the dry store
right under the building on Pennsylvania
Avenue — I never made the
acquaintance of Harrold while I was
here, I never saw him that I
know of. (on being shown the
photograph of Booth, Harrold and
Surratt) said he could swear positively
he never saw Harrold or Surratt.
I first saw Booth at the theatre
while I was in Washington —
I could not say what time of
the year — I think I staid nearly
two years in Washington — I think
I saw him the first year I
was in Washington — I think it
was in Graver's Theatre — I dont know
what his character was — tragedian
or comedian. I went to New York
after I left Washington; I remained
in New York perhaps a few
months, and then went to Brooklyn
where I remained over a year.—
I never had any conversation with
[*7013-a*]W.1

Thomas Wallace says:
    My home is in Brooklyn;
have been off and on in Washington
since the breaking out of the war;
came out with the 25th Regiment, Infantry,—
I first made the acquaintance of
J. Wilkes Booth about two years
ago; I was introduced to him at
the Occidental; he was in company
with a man by the name of
Edward Price, a fighting man, and
a man by the name of Carman,-
I did not see him after that
until about three months ago.
Mr. Booth got talking to me
and said there was a young
lady here in town who he was
keeping company with and
he wanted to get a box in Fords
Theatre, the off box on the right
hand side, he told me distinctly
No. 7, which is the one next
to the Presidents box. I said to
him I will hire the box for
you. On the following evening
[*7014*]                [*255*]about four oclock, about two
and a half weeks before the
assassination of the President, I
was playing billiards, when I saw
Booth and said to him "Mr.
Booth I swear I forgot all about
that box," and said to him, "I
was sorry, but I can easily
send one of those boys"— I
wrote down an order for this
box and directed it to Mr. Harry
Ford for box No. 7, and signed
Capt. Wallace to it — he gave me a
twenty dollar note and I handed
it to the boy — I asked him why
he was not on the stage and
he told me his business was
more lucrative, that he was in
the oil business — I dont know
who occupied the box that night.
They were strangers to me — I
saw two persons in it and
the bonnett of a third party —
One of them I think was
dressed in black, one of them IB.

to the other side he dropped into the
water exposing only his head, trying
to hide. By this time I had obtained
assistance — he followed him to one
side while I went around to the
other side of the creek. As soon
as he saw he was likely to be
surrounded he left the water and
endeavored to make his escape through
the fields, but being wetted he could
not run fast, and I soon overtook
him. His first remark was, "I am
not the man you are looking for,"
and I asked him who he supposed
I was looking for. He said, "You
do me a wrong," I told him I would
see. I asked him then who he
was, his reply was, "You will see".
By this time I had got to the jail
in which he was put. One of
the boys who was with me said
"He is tearing up papers," but I
did not see him do it myself.
The next day we picked up scraps
of papers and have every reason to
[*7015*]                [*256*]believe he tore what papers he might
have had with him. After he was
in jail I immediately notified
Provost Marshal Capt. Eyster who accompanied
me to the jail, and we
interrogated him. He said he was
born in Germany, and was about
28 years old — came to this country
about thirteen months ago; landed in
New York; from there he came to
Alexandria Virginia in company
with some man whom he does not
know, and from Alexandria he
went to Hanover county & worked upon
a farm with a man by the name
of Colburn or Colwell — he is not
sure of his name nor does he know
the name of any man about
that plantation, although he worked
there eight months. He left Hanover
county about the 5th of April last
and got to Williamsport, Maryland
a few days ago, but gives no account
of how he got there. He went to
Hagerstown and from there toLast. 

And in further prosecution 
of said conspiracy the said 
Samuel A Mudd did at 
Washington City and within the 
Military department and Military 
lines aforesaid on the 1st day of 
September AD 1864 and on divers
other days and times between that 
day and the 20th day of April 
AD 1865, did advise, encourage receive entertain harbor
and conceal aid and assist the 
said John Wilkes Booth David 
E. Herold, Louis H. Paine, John
H Surrat, Michael O Laughlin
G. A. Atzerodt [and]
Mrs M. Surratt and 
Samuel A. Arnold and
their confederates with knowledge
of the murderous and traitorous
conspiracy aforesaid and with
intent to aid, abet and assist them
in the execution thereof and in
escaping from justice after the
murder of the said Abraham
Lincoln in pursuance of said
conspiracy in manner aforesaid.
[*7016*]  [*257*]Charge and specifications against
 
Charge 1  For murdering Abraham
Lincoln President of the United
States and Commander in chief of
the Army and Navy of the United
States, for assaulting with intent to
murder William H Seward Secy
of State of the United States in pursuance 
[*&c &c  fill out all the names*]
of a conspiracy by the said together with Herold, Atzerodt and
John Wilkes Booth
murder then the said Abraham
Lincoln William H Seward and
other officers in the service of
the United States with intent thereby
to aid the rebellion against the
United States.
[*7017   258*]1.

Charges and Specifications against
David E. Her[r]old, G. A. --
Atzerodt Louis A Paine Michael
O[.]'Laughlin John H. Surratt
Edw. Spangler, Saml Arnold
Mrs. M Surratt, and Samuel
A. Mudd.
Charge 1. For maliciously unlawfully and traitorously
and in aid of the existing armed rebellion
against the United States of America, on
or about the first day of September A.D. 1864
and on divers other days between that
day and the fifteenth day of April A.D.
1865, combining confederating and conspiring
together with one John H.
Surratt, [one] John Wilkes Booth, Jefferson
Davis, George N. Sanders, Jacob
Thompson, William C. Cleary, Clement
C. Clay and others unknown
to kill and murder within the Military
Department of Washington and
within the fortified and intrenched lines
thereof, Abraham Lincoln late and
at the time of said [conspiracy] combining, confederating & conspiring President
of the United States of America and Commander-in-Chief 
of the Army and
Navy thereof

[*7018  259*]Testimony of the Conspiracy
in Canada.

Dr James R Merritt
    In Toronto in Oct or
Nov last heard Col Stut say
something more important than
raids - that Old Abe should
never Serve another term that
they had friends in Washington dc.

  Saw Geo W Sanders and Col
Steel who sd the G-d d-d
Old Tyrant Lincoln, never will
Serve another term.

  In Feby 1865 at Montreal Sanders
& others 15 or 20 Said the President
Cabinet Vice Prest. & leading
Generals were to be killed that
there was any amount of money in
Canada for the purpose, that
he had received a letter from Jeff. 
Davis which justified & which he
read to the meeting.

Sanders named the men to do the
murder to wit Geo Harper, Henry
Caldwell, Randall -  Jno Wilkes 
Booth, Herold called Harrison,- 
and Port-Tobacco (Atzerodt,)
[*7019*]  [*260*]Weichmann - 
Surratt in 
Richmond & 
left for Toronto 
before full of -

Devering -
 Went to Caenadu
seen Booth Oct 
Nr & Dec - with 
Thompkins Sunday
Clay & Holcomb

S. K. Chester
Jno Wilkes Booth 
[cut off]c [?] intend to abduct 
Prest Cabinet 
& take to Richmond

the highest officials
He hed ben to 
Canada & had 
plenty of money 
[?] [?] contingent 
on Success

H. Van Stunken
Engneer officer
on Genl Ed Johnson 
staff In '63
[One] not three men 
in Pa. that old 
Abe would be Kiled 
Booth: —
—2

Merritt cont'd
     Witness saw Booth in Canada
in Nov last. Sanders said "Booth's
whole soul & body are in the matter of
the murder" that Lincoln would
not be inaugurated & Johnson a 
but easily written off.

  Seward also shaken up as 
one to be disposed of.

  In 5 & 6th of Apl inst [Tim?]
Harper &c. in Toronto. & are called 
"Texas" On 6th Harper & Caldwell 
said they were going to Washington & 
15 or 20 more, to kick up [?] &c.
On same day Harper said "Doc. if you 
do not hear of South or Lincoln, Stanton, 
Grant & Dix in less than 10  days set 
me down a fool.!" He named Booth 
and Surratt at Washington.

On the 8' Harper &c had left!

I told David here on Monday of this. 
Son Surratt, Booth offered in 
Canada.

Have  seen letter of Jacob Thompson 
to Cal Ashley (rebel) forming the 
conspiracy.

[*7020  261*]3.

Testimony of Mr Develin Kirkwood Hearn,

Testimony of

(See notes of Mr. Dana)

Jacob Thompson said we can put Lincoln
& others out of the way have plenty of men 
to do it in our employ.

In June or July brt Thompson a
proposition to rid the world of
the Tyrant Lincoln & Grant
[?] and others, a blessing to
have them killed.  he was for
it and only awaited the approval
of his [?] in Richmond.

Beverly Tucker regretted after the
murder that the bugr had but been sooner
allowed to do it.

Certificates of deposit in hand
writing of Sunders on the Ontario
Bank, Montreal -- taken off
Booth's body say 2400$ — &c -. 
[*7021   262*]Charge and specifications against
   Herold
Atzerodt                     Payne
         O'Laughlin John
H. Surratt and
Surratt   Arnold   Spangler

Charge 1.  For traitorously, and [with intent to] [in aid of] [in aid of]
in aid of the rebellion against the United
States, Conspiring with one John Wilkes
[* [?] the
Dept of Washington Mil & others
do fortified 
[?] [?]
of D Deptmnt.*]
Booth & [others unknown] Davis, Sanders, Thompson & others unknown to Kill and murder Abraham 
Lincoln late and at the time of said conspiracy President of the United
States of America and Commander
in chief of the Army and Navy
thereof, Andrew Johnson V. P. William H. Seward Secretary 
of State of the United 
States, Ulysses S. Grant Lieutenant 
General of the United
States, and [other officers in] [Edwin M Stanton]
& commanding the armies of the US follow the statute 
the Service of the United States,
and in pursuance of said traitorous 
Conspiracy and in aid
of said rebellion, with said 
John Wilkes Booth murdering
said Abraham Lincoln then President
& Commander in Chief of the 
Army of the united States as
[*7022  263*]2
aforesaid and assaulting
with intent to murder said
William H. Seward Secretary of
State as aforesaid, and lying
in wait with intent to kill and murder
said Ulysses S. Grant and other
officers of the United States.-

Specification per this [?]2.

War Department
Washington City.
______186

                                                        Herold
That John Wilkes Booth               (Harrold)
Spangler                    Paine           Surratt
O Laughlin       Celestine        Arnold
and Mrs Surratt

incited by Jefferson Davis & Jacob Thompson [Clement C. Clay,] George N Saunders & others
unknown who were acting [under the [?]] in aid of the so-called Confederate 
States [?] then in rebellion against the government of the United States,
did combine conferate and conspire together at Washington
City within the Military Department of Washington and
within the entrenched fortifications and military camp there being
to kill and murder Abraham Lincoln President and
Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United
States and to kill and murder Andrew Johnson Vice President
upon whom on the death of [the President] Abraham Lincoln the office of President &
Commander in Chief would devolve, and to kill and
murder Ulysses S Grant Lieutenant General and
Commander in Chief of the forces on the field, and
to kill and murder William H Seward Secretary
of State whose duty it was by law [to call]

[*7023  264*]3.

War Department
Washington City
__________186

upon the death of the President and Vice
President to call an election for
President the conspirators aforesaid desiring
and intending by the killing & murders
aforesaid the Armies and Navy of the
United States of a Constitutional Commander
in Chief and to deprive the forces
in the field of their lawful Commander
in Chief and to prevent a lawful
election of President & Vice President and
by the means aforesaid to aid and comfort
the rebel insurgent and enemies of the United 
States and by the murders aforesaid to subvert and overthrow the
laws & Constitution of the United States.War Department
Washington City
___186

And the said Herold
did on the night aforesaid at said Theatre
within the Military lines aforesaid lie in
wait to aid and assist the said J Wilkes
Booth in the murder aforesaid and did
then aid and assist him to escape through or from
the assist military lines aforesaid and
[he] did from time until the day
of keep company & aid and assist him
to [? ?] to escape, and conceal himself.

[*7023-a*]War Department
Washington City,
__________ 186

And that in further prosecution of
the Wilke murderous and traitorous conspiracy
aforesaid Mary Surratt did at Washington City within
the Military Department & Military lines aforesaid did receive
entertain harbor and conceal aid and
assist the said Booth Herrnold Paine Surratt
O'Laughlin & Arnold and their confederates
& with Knowledge of the murderous and
traitorous conspiracy aforesaid and 
with intent to aid abet and assist 
them [therein,] in the execution thereof.
[*7024    265*]War Department
                      Washington City
                                _______________186
And being so combined and confederate and conspiring together
prosecution of the wicked purposes and design [donot] aforesaid 
[?] on the night of the 14th of April at
Fords Theatre on Seventh [city] Street of [Secu] Washington City
within the Military Department and Military
lines aforesaid John Wilkes Booth did Kill
and Murder Abraham Lincoln President of
the United States and Commander in Chief of the Army & Navy by discharging 
a [pistol] leaden ball from a pistol held in
the [right] hand of said John Wilkes Booth against 
the left and posterior side of the head of the said Abraham
Lincoln and thereby then & there inflicting a mortal wound
whereof on the 15th day of April said
Abraham Lincoln died[*5 [6]*]

War Department
Washington City,
 ______________186

And in further prosecution of the wicked
conspiracy aforesaid and its murderous 
& traitorous designs aforesaid the said
Samuel Spangler did aid and assist 
the said J Wilkes Booth to obtain 
entrance to the box in which Abraham 
Lincoln was sitting at the time he was 
assaulted and shot by said Booth, and 
also in [pr] barring and obstructing the 
door of the box of said Theatre so as 
to hinder & prevent any assistance or reveue to 
said Abraham Lincoln against the 
murderous assault of the said John 
Wilkes Booth.

[*7025*]    [*266*]War Department
                    Washington City   [*6*]
                  ____________186
And in further prosecution of said
wicked traitorous & murderous conspiracy
and the purpose and design thereof
the said David C Herrold did on
the night of the 14th of April 1865 within 
the Military Department and Military
lines aforesaid did [afore] abet & assist the
said John Wilkes Booth in the Killing
and murder of the said Abraham
Lincoln and did aid abet and assist
him the said Booth in making his 
escape through the Military lines aforesaid 
and did accompany him and assist 
him in concealing himself and fleing
from the pursuit of justice[5.]      7

War Department
Washington City
_______________186
And in further prosecution [th???]
of said wicked conspiracy and the purposes
thereof the said Paine did on the same
night of the 14th day of April at the City of Washington within said Military 
Department and Military lines aforesaid the said

Paine did make an assault
upon William H Seward Secretary of State in
in the dwelling house and bed chamber occupied
by him & in had [did] did then and there with a [xxx]
bowie knife held in his hand [inflict] attempt
to kill and murder the said William H
Seward by inflicting upon his face and
throat divers grievous wounds.
And the said Paine in prosecution of said
Conspiracy did then and there attempt to kill and
murder Frederick H Seward and

who was then and there striving to protect & rescue the
said William H Seward from murder by the said Paine
[*7026*]                       [*267*]War Department     [7] [*8*]
                    Washington City
                         _______________186
And in further prosecution of this
conspiracy & its wicked and murderous design
the said              Azerodt [and the said OLaughlin] did on the night
of the 14th of April aforesaid within the Military Department & Military lines aforesaid lie in wait
for Andrew Johnson [with intent to]
Vice President of the United States
with intent to kill and murder him[*[8] 9*]

War Department
 Washington City,
 ______________186

And in further prosecution of the
wicked conspiracy aforesaid and its
murderous and treasonable purpos [object] and designs aforesaid 
the said Michael O Laughlin [did]
[lie in wait for] on the night of the
13th and 14th of April aforesaid at
Washington and within the Military
lines aforesaid did lie in wait for
Ulysses S Grant Lieutenant General
and Commander of the Armies of 
the United States with intent to Kill
and murder him
[*7027   268*]War Department    [*10 [9]*]
                  Washington City
                     ______________186
And that the said             Arnold 
and               Celantina were privy
to the [cons] murderous and traitorous
conspiracy aforesaid and [did con]
with knowledge thereof did connect with
aid abet countenance [and] comfort and
support the said John Wilkes Booth
    Paine, Azerodt  O Laughlin
and their confederates in said murderous traitorous conspiracy 
and in the execution thereof.Charges and Specifications against
H[a]errold.               Atzerodt.
Payne.                      O'Laughlin.
John W. Surratt.      Arnold.
Spangler                  Surratt.

Charge 1. For maliciously, unlawfully and traitorously, and in 
aid of the existing armed treasonous rebellion against the United States, 
of America [conspiring] [*condemning, confederating, and [conspiracy] conspiring together*] on or about the 1st day of September, A.D. 1864 
and on divers other days between that day and the 15th day 
of April A.D.1865. [within the Military Department of 
Washington and within the fortified and entrenched lines 
of said Department] with [*and one John H Surratt*] one John Wilkes Booth, John H. Surratt, 
Jefferson Davis, George N. Saunders, Jacob Thompson, 
and others unknown, to kill and murder within the Military Department & within the fortified entrenched lines thereof aforesaid Abraham 
Lincoln, late and at the time of said conspiring President 
of the United States of America, and Commander-in Chief 
of the Army and Navy thereof: - Andrew 
Johnson, Vice President of the United States aforesaid; 
William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United 
States aforesaid; Ulysses S. Grant, Lieutenant-General, 
of the Army of the United States aforesaid, then in 
command of the armies of the United States, under the 
direction of the said Abraham Lincoln: [Edward M 
Stanton, then Secretary of War of the United States, aforesaid 
and other officers unknown there in the service of 
the United States aforesaid]: and in pursuance and in presenting of said 
[*7028*] [*269*]malicious, unlawful and traitorous conspiracy, [as] aforesaid and 
in aid of said rebellion, afterwards, to wit; on the 14th 
day of April, A.D. 1865, within the Military Department 
of Washington aforesaid, and within the fortified 
and entrenched lines of said Military Department together with 
said John Wilkes Booth, maliciously, unlawfully and
 traitorously murdering the said Abraham Lincoln, then 
President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief 
of the Army and Navy of the United States as aforesaid; 
and maliciously and unlawfully and traitorously assaulting 
with intent to kill and murder the said William H 
Seward, then Secretary of State of the United States, as 
aforesaid; and lying in wait with intent maliciously, 
unlawfully and traitorously to kill and murder the 
said Andrew Johnson then being Vice President of the 
United States; and the said Ulysses S. Grant, then being 
Lieutenant-General and in command of the Armies of 
the United States, as aforesaid. [and the said Edwin M 
Stanton, then being Secretary of War of the United States, 
as aforesaid.]Seward, then Secretary of State of the United States
aforesaid, whose duty it was by law upon the death of
the said President and Vice President of the United
States aforesaid, to cause an election to be held for
electors of President of the United States - the conspirators
aforesaid designing and intending by the Killing and
murders of the said Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S Grant and
Wm. H [Seward] William H. Seward, as aforesaid to deprive the Army and Navy 
of the said United States of a constitutional Commander
in Chief; and to deprive the armies of the 
United States of their lawful commander; and to prevent
a lawful election of President and Vice President
of the United States aforesaid: - and by the means
aforesaid to aid and comfort the insurgents engaged
in armed rebellion against the said United States, as
aforesaid, and thereby to aid in the subversion and
overthrow of the Constitution and Laws of the United
States.

And being so combined, confederated and conspiring
together in the prosecution of said unlawful,
and traitorous conspiracy on the night of the 14th day
of April, A.D. 1865, at the hour of about 10 oclock and 15 min p.m. at Ford's Theatre on Tenth Street
in the City of Washington, and within the military 
Department, and military lines aforesaid, John Wilkes
Booth aforesaid is pursuance of said unlawful and
traitorous conspiracy, did, then and there, unlawfully,
maliciously and traitorously, and with intent to Kill
and murder the said Abraham Lincoln, discharge
a Pistol then then held in the hands of him the said Booth the same being loaded with powder and a leaden ball, against

[*7029*]         [*271*]and upon the left and posterior side of the head of
the said Abraham Lincoln; and did thereby, then
and there, inflict upon him, the said Abraham Lincoln,
then President of the said United States, and Commander
in Chief of the Army and Navy thereof, a 
mortal wound, whereof, afterwards, to wit; on the 15th
day of April, A.D. 1865, at Washington City aforesaid the said Abraham Lincoln
died- and thereby, then and there, and in pursuance
of said conspiracy, the said defendants and the said
John Wilkes Booth did unlawfully, traitorously and
maliciously, and with the intent to aid the rebellion, as
aforesaid, Kill and murder the said Abraham Lincoln
President of the United States, as aforesaid.

And, in further prosecution of the unlawful and
traitorous conspiracy aforesaid, and the murderous
and traitorous intent about the same hour of exact day aforesaid of said conspiracy, the said
Samuel Spangler on said 14th day of April A.D. 1865 [?] said Military Department and the Military lines aforesaid, did aid and assist the said John
Wilkes Booth to obtain entrance to the box in said Theatre
in which said Abraham Lincoln was sitting at
the time he was assaulted and shot, as aforesaid by
John Wilkes Booth; and also did then and there and aid said Booth in barring and obstructing
the doors of the box of said Theatre so as to hinder
and prevent any assistance to or rescue of the said
Abraham Lincoln against the murderous assault
of the said John Wilkes Booth and to aid
and abet him in making his escape 
here in making his escape after commiting said
[murder] After [assaulting said [?]] the said [murdered] Abraham
Lincoln [in murdered] had been murdered in [m???????] aforesaidand in further prosecution of said unlawful,
murderous and traitorous conspiracy
and in pursuance thereof and
with the intent as aforesaid, the said
David C. Harrold did on the night of
the 14th of April A.D. 1865 within
the Military Department and military
lines aforesaid aid abet and assist
the said John Wilkes Booth in the Killing
and murder of the said Abraham
Lincoln and did then and there aid and abet and
assist him the said John Wilkes 
Booth to escape through the military 
lines aforesaid and did accompany and
assist the said John Wilkes Booth
in attempting to conceal himself
and escape from justice after killing and murdering said Abraham 
Lincoln as aforesaid.
And in further prosecution of
said unlawful and traitorous conspiracy 
and with the intent thereof as aforesaid,
the said Louis H.
Paine did, on the same night of
the 14 day of April A.D. 1865 about the hour of 10 OClock 15 minutes p.m. at the city of
Washington and within the Military
Department and the military 
lines aforesaid, unlawfully & maliciously make an assault
upon the said William H. Seward
Secretary of State as aforesaid in the 
dwellinghouse and bedchamber of
[*7030*]          [*272*]him the said William H. Seward
and the said Paine then and there with a large [bowie]
knife held in his hand unlawfully, 
traitorously and in pursuance
of said conspiracy, strike stab cut and attempt to kill
and murder the said William H.
Seward and did thereby then and
there and with the intent aforesaid
with said knife inflict upon the face and throat of
the said William H. Seward divers
grievous wounds. And the said
Louis H. Paine in further prosecution
of said conspiracy at the
same time and place last aforesaid
did attempt with the knife aforesaid, and a pistol held in his hand to Kill and  murder
Frederick W. Seward and
[and did then and there with said knife and pistol a]
who were striving to protect
and rescue the said William H.
Seward from murder by the said
Louis H. Paine and did then and there [inf] with said knife and
pistol held in his hand inflict upon the head of the said Frederick W Seward and upon the person of said
[?????] grievous and dangerous wounds with intent to Kill and murder the said Frederik W. Seward &
And in further prosecution of
said conspiracy and its traitorous
and murderous designs the said
Atzerodt did, on the night of the
14 of April A.D. 1865 and about the same time of the night aforesaid within the
Military Department and militarylines aforesaid, [did] lie in wait for
Andrew Johnson then Vice President
of the United States aforesaid with 
the intent unlawfully and maliciously 
to Kill and murder him.
And in the further prosecution
of the conspiracy aforesaid and of
its murderous and treasonable purposes
aforesaid on the nights of the
13 and 14 of April A.D. 1865 at Washington
city and within the military
Department and military lines aforesaid
the said Michael O. Laughlin 
did then and there lie in wait
for Ulysses S. Grant then Lieutenant
General and Commander of the 
Armies of the United States as
aforesaid and also for the Said Edwin M. Stanton then Secretary of War of the United States as 
aforesaid with intent then and
there to Kill and murder th[i]em 
the said Ulysses S. Grant. & Edwin M. 
Stanton.
And in further prosecution of
said conspiracy the said
Arnold did, within the military 
Department and military lines
aforesaid on the first day of September 1864 and on divers other days & times between that day and the fifteenth day 
[and on the day and year 
last aforesaid,]
of [September] April 1865. and combine feet and hands with & and [????ed] abet comfort and 
support the said John Wilkes Booth
Louis H. Paine, G.A. 
Atzerodt, Michael O. Laughlin and, 
[*7031*]    [*273*]their confederates in said unlawful
murderous and traitorous
conspiracy and in the execution
thereof as aforesaid.
And in further prosecution
of the said conspiracy John H.
Surratt did, at Washington city
and within the military Department
and military lines aforesaid,
on the first day of September 1864 & on divers other days & hours between that day and the 24 day of April 1865 [day and year last aforesaid 
and on divers other days before 
and since the said last mentioned day] did receive, entertain,
harbor and conceal, aid
and assist the said John Wilkes
Booth, David E Herrold
Louis H. Paine, John H. Surratt,
Michael O. Laughlin, and
G. A. Atzorodt, Samuel
Arnold and their confederates, with
knowledge of the murderous and
traitorous conspiracy aforesaid
and with intent to aid, abet and
assist them in the execution there,
of & in Excepting from justice after the
murder of the said Abraham Lincoln
as aforesaid.
[*7031-a*]No specific act
chgd of Atzorodt
or John H Surratt
& as-
Dr Mudd

Samuel A. Mudd

William C. Cleary
(Thompsons clerk)
&c Booth was [?] man.
referred to by Thompson
Clement C. Clay.Charge and Specification
Against
David E. Herold, G.A. Atzerodt, Lewis Payne, Michael O'Laughlin,
John H. Surratt, Edward Spangler, Samuel Arnold, Mary
E. Surratt, and Samuel A. Mudd.
Charge I. For maliciously, unlawfully, and traitorously, and in aid of the
existing armed rebellion against the United States of America on or before
the 6th day of March, A.D. 1865, and on divers other days between that day
and the fifteenth day of April, A.D. 1865, combining, confederating, and conspiring
together with one John H. Surratt, John Wilkes Booth, Jefferson Davis,
George N. Sanders, Beverly Tucker, Jacob Thompson, William C. Cleary, Clement
C. Clay, George Harper, George Young, and others unknown, to kill and murder
within the Military Department of Washington, and within the fortified and
intrenched lines thereof, Abraham Lincoln, late, and at the time of said combining,
confederating, and conspiring, President of the United States of America, and
Commander-in-chief of the army and navy thereof; Andrew Johnson, now Vice
President of the United States aforesaid; William H. Seward, Secretary of State
of the United States aforesaid; Ulysses S. Grant; Lieutenant General of the
army of the United States aforesaid, then in command of the armies of the
United States, under the direction of the said Abraham Lincoln; and in pursuance
of and in prosecuting said malicious, unlawful, and traitorous conspiracy
aforesaid, and in aid of said rebellion, afterwards, to wit, on the 14th day
of April, A.D. 1865, within the Military Department of Washington aforesaid,
and within the fortified and intrenched lines of said military department,
together with said John Wilkes Booth, maliciously, unlawfully,
and traitorously murdering the said Abraham Lincoln, then President
of the United States and commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the
United States, as aforesaid; and maliciously, unlawfully, and traitorously
assaulting with intent to kill and murder the said William H. Seward, then 
Secretary of State of the United States, as aforesaid; and lying in wait with 
intent maliciously, unlawfully, and traitorously to kill and murder the said
Andrew Johnson, then being Vice President of the United States; and the 
said Ulysses S. Grant, then being Lieutenant General, and in command of the
armies of the United States, as aforesaid.
Specification 1. In this: that they, the said David E. Herold, Edward
Spangler, Lewis Payne, John H. Surratt, Michael O'Laughlin, Samuel Arnold,
Mary E. Surratt, G.A. Atzerodt, and Samuel A. Mudd, incited and encouraged
thereunto by Jefferson Davis, George N. Sanders, Beverly Tucker, Jacob
Thompson, William C. Cleary, Clement C. Clay, George Harper, George
Young, and others, unknown, citizens of the United States aforesaid, and who
were then engaged in armed rebellion against the United States of America,
within the limits thereof, did, in aid of said armed rebellion, on or before the 6th
day of March, A.D. 1865, and on divers other days and times between that day
and the 15th day of April, A.D. 1865, combine, confederate, and conspire
together at Washington city, within the military department of Washington,
and within the intrenched fortifications and military lines of the said United
States, there being, unlawfully, maliciously, and traitorously to kill and murder
Abraham Lincoln, then President of the United States aforesaid, and commander-in-chief
of the army and navy thereof; and unlawfully, maliciously, 
and traitorously to kill and murder Andrew Johnson, now Vice President of
the said United States, upon whom, on the death of said Abraham Lincoln
[*7032*]
[*274*]2

after the fourth day of March, A. D. 1865, the office of President of the
said United States, and commander-in-chief of the army and navy thereof,
would devolve; and to unlawfully, maliciously, and traitorously kill and murder 
Ulysses S. Grant, then Lieutenant General, and, under the direction of the
said Abraham Lincoln, in command of the armies of the United States aforesaid;
and unlawfully, maliciously, and traitorously to kill and murder William H.
Seward, then Secretary of State of the United States aforesaid, whose duty it
was by law, upon the death of said President and Vice President of the United
States aforesaid, to cause an election to be held for electors of President of the
United States—the conspirators aforesaid designing and intending by the killing
and murder of the said Abraham Lincolon, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant,
and William H. Seward, as aforesaid, to deprive the army and navy of the said
United States of a constitutional commander-in-chief; and to deprive the armies of
the United States of their lawful commander; and to prevent a lawful election of
President and Vice President of the United States aforesaid; and by the means
aforesaid to aid and comfort the insurgents engaged in armed rebellion against
the said United States, as aforesaid, and thereby to aid in the subversion and
overthrow of the Constitution and laws of the said United States.

      And being so combined, confederated, and conspiring together in the prosecution 
of said unlawful and traitorous conspiracy, on the night of the 14th day
of April, A. D. 1865, at the hour of about ten o’clock and fifteen minutes p. m.,
at Ford’s theatre, on Tenth street, in the city of Washington, and within the military 
department and military lines aforesaid, John Wilkes Booth, one of the
conspirators aforesaid, in pursuance of said unlawful and traitorous conspiracy,
did, then and there, unlawfully, maliciously and traitorously, and with
intent to kill and murder the said Abraham Lincoln, discharge a pistol then
held in the hands of him, the said Booth, the same being then loaded with
powder and a leaden ball, against and upon the left and posterior side of the head
of the said Abraham Lincoln; and did thereby, then and there, inflict upon him,
the said Abraham Lincoln, then President of the said United States, and commander-in-chief 
of the army and navy thereof, a mortal wound, whereof, afterwards,
to wit, on the 15th day of April, A. D. 1865, at Washington city aforesaid, the
said Abraham Lincoln died; and thereby, then and there, and in pursuance of
said conspiracy, the said defendants and the said John Wilkes Booth did, unlawfully, 
traitorously and maliciously, and with the intent to aid the rebellion,
as aforesaid, kill and murder the said Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
States as aforesaid.

       And in further prosecution of the unlawful and traitorous conspiracy aforesaid, 
and of the murderous and traitorous intent of said conspiracy, the said
Edward Spangler, on said 14th day of April, A. D. 1865, at about the same hour
of that day, as aforesaid, within said military department and the military lines
aforesaid, did aid and assist the said John Wilkes Booth to obtain entrance to
the box in said theatre, in which said Abraham Lincoln was sitting at the time
he was assaulted and shot, as aforesaid, by John Wilkes Booth; and also did
then and there aid said Booth in barring and obstructing the door of the box
of said theatre so as to hinder and prevent any assistance to or rescue of the
said Abraham Lincoln against the murderous assault of the said John Wilkes
Booth, and did aid and abet him in making his escape after the said Abraham
Lincoln had been murdered in manner aforesaid.

       And in further prosecution of said unlawful, murderous and traitorous conspiracy, 
and in pursuance thereof and with the intent as aforesaid, the said
David E. Herold did, on the night of the 14th of April, A. D. 1865, within
the military department and military lines aforesaid, aid, abet and assist the
said John Wilkes Booth in the killing and murder of the said Abraham
Lincoln, and did then and there aid and abet and assist him, the said John
Wilkes Booth, in attempting to escape through the military lines aforesaid, and
did accompany and assist the said John Wilkes Booth in attemping to conceal
himself and escape from justice, after killing and murdering said Abraham
Lincoln as aforesaid.

And in farther prosecution of said unlawful and traitorous conspiracy, and of
the intent thereof as aforesaid, the said Lewis Payne did, on the same night
of the 14th day of April, A. D. 1865, about the same hour of ten o’clock fifteen
minutes p.m., at the city of Washington, and within the military department and
the military lines aforesaid, unlawfully and maliciously make an assault upon

[ page break ]

3

the said William H. Seward, Secretary of State, as aforesaid, in the dwelling-house 
and bed-chamber of him, the said William H. Seward, and the said Payne
did then and there, with a large knife, held in his hand, unlawfully, traitorously,
and in pursuance of said conspiracy, strike, stab, cut, and attempt to kill and
murder the said William H. Seward, and did thereby, then and there, and with
the intent aforesaid, with said knife, inflict upon the face and throat of the said
William H. Seward divers grievous wounds. And the said Lewis Payne,
in further prosecution of said conspiracy, at the same time and place last aforesaid, 
did attempt with the knife aforesaid, and a pistol held in his hand, to kill
and murder Frederick W. Seward, Augustus H. Seward, Emrick W. Hansell, 
and George F. Robinson, who were then striving to protect and rescue the
said William H. Seward from murder by the said Lewis Payne, and did
then and there, with said knife and pistol held in his hands, inflict upon the
head of said Frederick W. Seward, and upon the persons of said Augustus H.
Seward, Emrick W. Hansell, and George F. Robinson, divers grievous and dangerous 
wounds, with intent, then and there, to kill and murder the said Frederick 
W. Seward, Augustus H. Seward, Emrick W. Hansell, and George F.
Robinson. 

      And in further prosecution of said conspiracy and its traitorous and murderous
designs, the said G. A. Atzerodt did, on the night of the 14th of April, A. D.
1865, and about the same hour of the night aforesaid, within the military department 
and the military lines aforesaid, lie in wait for Andrew Johnson, then
Vice President of the United States aforesaid, with the intent unlawfully and
maliciously to kill and murder him, the said Andrew Johnson. 

      And in the further prosecution of the conspiracy aforesaid, and of its murderous 
and treasonable purposes aforesaid, on the nights of the 13th and 14th of
April, A. D. 1865, at Washington city, and within the military department and
military lines aforesaid, the said Michael O’Laughlin did then and there lie in
wait for Ulysses S. Grant, then Lieutenant General and commander of the armies
of the United States as aforesaid, with intent then and there to kill and murder
the said Ulysses S. Grant.

      And in further prosecution of said conspiracy, the said Samuel Arnold did,
within the military department and military lines aforesaid, on or before the sixth
day of March, A. D. 1865, and on divers other days and times between that day
and the 15th day of April, A. D. 1865, combine, conspire with, and aid, counsel,
abet, comfort, and support, the said John Wilkes Booth, Lewis Payne, G. A. Atzerodt, 
Michael O’Laughlin, and their confederates, in said unlawful,
murderous and traitorous conspiracy and in the execution thereof, as aforesaid.

      And in further prosecution of the said conspiracy, Mary E. Surratt did, at
Washington city, and within the military department and military lines aforesaid, 
on or before the sixth day of March, A. D. 1865, and on divers other days
and times between that day and the 20th day of April, A. D. 1865, receive,
entertain, harbor and conceal, aid and assist the said John Wilkes Booth,
David E. Herold, Lewis Payne, John H. Surratt, Michael O'Laughlin, G. A. Atzerodt, 
Samuel Arnold, and their confederates, with knowledge of the
murderous and traitorous conspiracy aforesaid, and with intent to aid, abet, and
assist them in the execution thereof, and in escaping from justice after the
murder of the said Abraham Lincoln, as aforesaid.

      And in further prosecution of said conspiracy the said Samuel A. Mudd did,
at Washington city, and within the military department and military lines
aforesaid, on or before the sixth day of March, A. D. 1865, and on divers other
days and times between that day and the twentieth day of April, A. D. 1865, advise, 
encourage, receive, entertain, harbor and conceal, aid and assist the
said John Wilkes Booth, David E. Herold, Lewis Payne, John H. Surratt,
Michael O’Laughlin, G. A. Atzerodt, Mary K. Surratt, and Samuel [?]. Arnold
and their confederates, with knowledge of the murderous and traitorous conspiracy 
aforesaid, and with intent to aid, abet, and assist them in the execution
thereof, and in escaping from justice after the murder of the said Abraham
Lincoln, in pursuance of said conspiracy in manner aforesaid.
Department of State
Washington  ___________186____________


Hiram  Rossman,  Says he
lives at Port Byron Cayuga 
County, New York, - Left 
home nearly five years
ago. Has been in Michigan 
and Wisconsin, -
most of the time since-
is 22 years old - 
Mr Rossman has been 
in Toronto & Hamilton since last 
April - Has been kept
by James B Clay, Jasper
[*7033*] [*275*]Gill of Saint Louis, who 
is in Canada, & a Mr 
Johnson from Memphis,
because they thought he
was a sympathizer
with them - they wanted 
him to go South and 
join the rebel army. - 
Failing in that they 
tried to induce him 
to join the Conspiracy 
for the [reli??ing]  the 
prisoners on  Johnson'sIsland - Some three 
weeks ago they had 
a Secret meeting in 
Hamilton to organize 
a party to release
the prisoners - At 
that meeting there were 
probably 300 present - All
Southern men - Jasper 
Hill is the leading
Conspirator - He told 
Mr Rosman that he 
[*7033a*]  [*275a*]was the Captain of the
band - their plan is to
take boats from Toron. 
And he said that they would capture
Canadian boats if necessary- 
     When they release the
prisoners they propose to
take them to Canada - There
are a great many of
Morgan's men there - they
visit Buffalo and Detroit
very often - Mr 
Hill told him that
Mr Lincoln should2
Department of State  
Washington____186____

be reelected they intend 
to burn Detroit and 
Buffalo, but that if 
McClellan should be 
elected they would 
not do so - because 
they pretend to have 
an understanding with
him and with the 
leaders of his party 
[tho] for the establishment 
[*7034*] [*276*]of peace on the basis 
of Southern independence - 
[in the event of]
 A man by the name 
of Chris Buck, a bounty
jumper [is the ] has been
the bearer of letters from
[the] Clay to Valandigham 
- He generally goes by 
way of Fort Sarnai, and
thence by way of Chicago-
He is about 25 years 
old - about 5 feet 7 inches 


high - blue eyes- Sandy 
moustache - heavy and 
long - thin face with 
a mole on his right 
cheek, close to his 
nose- low forehead, 
slightly bald, but 
covers the baldness with 
hair from front - 
             His wife lives at the 
Bridge, Canada side - boards
at the British American Hotel - 
Buck went about 
two weeks ago - His fatherlives near Utica New York -  
[W] Buck told him that he 
had been arrested in Troy 
N.Y as a absentee but that 
he effected his escape &
went to his father's and 
thence  to Canada -  He 
also said he had an 
interest in a  Sutlers tent in 
the Army of the Potomac, 
near City Point and that 
he visited it about a mon[th]  
ago-3   Department of State
         Washington_____________186__________

Jasper Hill tried to hire 
Mr Rosman to go to Johnson's
Island about 2 weeks ago
to see the officers confined 
there and make arrangements 
with them, and 
also ascertain how 
much force was guarding 
them, and how it was disposed 
of and to obtain any other [things] careful
information and
[*7035*]  [*277*]report it to him - 
He says the rebels in Canada
have a regular mail 
line by way of Chicago 
Cairo &c to Richmond - He 
thinks he can break it up -
He also says he knows a 
large numbers of professional 
bounty jumpers in Canada, Some 
of whom have enlisted and 
desirted as many as 20 
times.Chf Staff
File  PoliceI respectfully submit that A. R. [Cazaruan] Cazauran,   
now acting as a Reporter for the Washington Chronicle 
be excluded from the sessions of - this Commission 
for the following reasons:-

           1st. In that he is a convicted felon; 
having been tried, convicted and sentenced to 
imprisonment for three years for the crime of forgery.

           For proof of which I refer to the Register of 
the Sing Sing prison of N.Y. State.

            2nd In that he is a thief -; 
Having while acting as an agent for Robt. Heller
on the occasion of a benefit - being given for the 
Orphans Asylum in Cincinnati, collected and 
absconded with the funds, [am our] A warrant 
for his arrest was issued and preparations 
are being made for it being served.

           For proof of which I refer to Mrs. 
Jacob Groff, of Cincinnati, the Treasurer of 
the Charity referred to, 
   
             3rd. In that he is a rebel,       having
[*7036*]  [*278*]proceeded with the stolen funds to Memphis, Tenn. 
at the breaking out of the rebellion, where he became 
editor or sub-editor of the Memphis Argus, in 
which paper he published the most incendiary 
and blood thirsty tirades against the Government,
and especially urging that Cincinnati, which 
he designated as the most loathsome abolition 
hole on this Continent, should first he benefit 
out of existence.

          For proof, I refer to M. Halstead Esqr, 
Editor of the Cincinnati Commercial, who 
systematically repeated in his paper the effusions 
of this man, in order that the Cincinnati public 
might form an idea of the value to be attached to 
the venomous expressions of hate towards the Govt .
and the North
                                                                Bernet Pitman 
                                                                    Military Recorder
Col. Burnetts Office
War Department
Washington D.C.1. not wrongful, but unlawful - 
not unlawful.
So stood Law 12 vol.                pg. 379. - 
[1] 3rd March 1813. - - 2 Stat. 819 - 20 
See. 7. Good vs. U.S.
16 Pct 362. & 63
66 See 1799. is it repealed,
repeal by necessary implication - if 
positive repugnance. _ ._ 

U. S. by Freeman - 3 Hond 564-5! 
Wayne J. If dif. Statutes are [????tured] together, 
1125 
Avery regulation & adopted by Congress & it repealed - 1625. 
25 Paragraph - 
Were the regulations of more 
force against a subsequent 
Law - & then on previous 
Statutes.  
W. S. M Eliason -
16 [?] 302,
Orders within sphere of real 
authent
[*7037    279*]3

3 Reg, 1840- 9 Oct.
Charged with the Administration
by the med.  ephemeral a
pap's Oct 14- Purveyor shall 
under order of Sarg Genl - [puncture?] 
all Starts etc.
no word "Select" there.

4th, Next [???lution] 
25  Sep 1850
h. 10. Sec.17.
Med  Purveyor under
[O??ti??] of Sarg  Genl —
Shall purchase all 
Med  Sterls.

5. March 26 1856 - Jeff Davis x
at [?] 5 - 3d Oct.

Med Purveyors with far- nich 
Medical Supplies and 
an order of Sarg Genl.4
6. Rep 1860 - Floyd - 
p -5 - Oct 2. Med Purveyor 
will make the necessary acquisitions 
will be made from Surg. 
Genl - Med Purveyors at Principal 
Deputy.

1861. Put in Blue Book of Army
regulations

May 7. 1863 - Directive - 
Reg. Embodies into the Stat. 
with - On the Subjects of Surgery 
Order to Surg. Cox - was but a reiteration 
of order of 5 different 
[?] - that to four private business 
in Phil. because like amt purchased 
in N. J.

[?] [?] of Cooper,
[* 7038   280 *]5
- 3 Spec, Blankets of good quality. -
4 Spec, Lap Hospitals, ordered [?]
1. letter has been stolen from
the Department.
I regard to that letter to prove that

We will offer proof to show that he did 
try to write another letter different entirely - 
an additional letter — 
by date 17 June from Surg Genl - 
HC. - -That took 244 - weighing over 
800 lbs

That the bales shown to Baton 
& Gentlemen were sent by this catg
Spec. 6. That Wyeth & Bro had supplied 
$100000 before Surg Genl came into 
office.

On 29 Jul '62 gave an order &
Nick Cooper on 30 Jul - '62 - 
he gave order to purchase in 
open market a letter on 29 July
[*7039*]              [*281*]