Shf l&fptator's (Tolumn.
rpHE BEDFORD REGULATOR,
No. 2 ANDERSON'S ROW.
IRVINE A STATLER
Are again in the field Wattling against the imposi
tion of high prices and would respectfully inform
their friends and the public generally that they
have just received a large and varied assortment
of goods, consisting of
Roots and Shoes,
Muslins and Tickings,
Notions and Perfumery,
Groceries and Spices,
Queensware and Glassware,
Tobacco and Segars,
White A Colored Shirts,
Cotton A Woolen Yarns,
Trunks & Valises,
Brooms A Twines,
Ac., Ac.
Call at No. 2 ANDERSON'S ROW.
If you want a good p'r Boots, go to the Regulator.
QUR STOCK OF BOOTS A SHOES j
are full and complete. .
BOOTS, SHOES, BALMORALS, GAITERS and 1
SLIPPERS, Ac.,
/
to fit any man, woman and child in the county.
CSP* Measures taken for Ladies and Gentlemen
and neat and complete fits warranted or no sale.
At IRVINE A STATLER'S, NO. 2 A.'s Row.
If you want a good pVShoes, go to the Regulator.
0 R O C ERIES.—
Prime Rio Coffee, - 25 to 30 cents per lb.
do La Guayra, - 25 to 30 " " "
White Sugar, ... 18 " " "
Light Brown Sugars. - 121 to 15 " " "
Teas, - - - - $1 50 to 2.00 per lb.
Spices, all kinds, cheap and good.
Best quality Syrups and Molasses, at the lowest
market prices, at '"The Regulator's, No. 2 A. R.
If you want good Toilet Soap or Perfumery, go to
the Regulator.
"0" N BLEACH ED and BLEACHED
MUSLINS,
From the best Manufactories in the country.
Bleached and Unbleached Muslins from 121 c up.
Sheeting, ..... from 18c up.
Tickings, all grades and prices, at
IRVINE A STATLER'S.
If you want a good Shirt, go to the Regulator.
QUR NOTIONS ARE AT ALL
TIMES FULL AND COMPLETE in
Shirts, Collars,
Neck-Ties, Soaps,
Gloves, Hosiery,
Perfumery,
Suspenders,
Combs, Threads,
Buttons, Wallets,
Brushes, Thimbles,
Pins,
Needles,
Sewing Silk,
Linen and Cotton Handkerchiefs,
Shaving Cream,
Ac., Ac*., Ac.
At No. 2 Anderson's Row
If you want a variety of Notions, go to the Reg'r.
STATIONERY and PERFUMERY.
Note, Letter and Fools-cap Paper, Envelopes,
Perfumery, all kinds of Toilet Soap, Tooth Brush
es, Ac., At THE REGULATOR'S.
If you want Queensware er Glassware, go to the
Regulator.
QUEENSWABE A GLASSWARE.
We have a large and magnificent selection of
Queensware and Glassware, of the latest and most
fashionable patterns, and will be sold at the most
reasonable prices, by
IRVINE A STATLER.
If ynu want good Spices of any kind, go to the
Regulator.
rpOBAOCO AND SEGARS of the
best brands and manufacture :
Gravely,
Oronoke Twist,
Century Fine-cut,
Cavendish,
Baltimore Twist,
Natural Leaf,
Congress,
Ac.. Ac.
Smoking Tobaeco, all kinds.
Segars from a Cheroot to the finest article.
Also, a large assortment of Pipes.
Fip Call at No. 2 Anderson's Row.
!
If you want good Hosiery, Gloves, Neck-ties col- j
lars, Ac., go to the Regulator.
E HAVE EVERYTHING that
is usually kept in a No. 1 country store.
ty MARKETING of all kinds taken in ex
change FOR OOODS, and the highest prices paid.
Any goods desired will be ordered from the Eas
tern cities
Country merchants supplied with goods at
a small advance. No troubte to show goods. All
we ask is a call and we feel satisfied we can please
ALL. Thankful for past favors, we solicit a con
tinuance of the same.
apr26,'67. IRVINE A STATLER.
If yon want anything inonrline, goto the Bed
ford Regulator, No. 2, Anderson's Row. t ,
®hc itcbforft ©alette.
BY MEYERS & MENGEL.
sry-(soods, &r.
nAVE YOUR GREENBACKS!!
You can SA VE 25 per cent, by purchasing your
GOODS at the CHEAP BARGAIN STORE of
G. R. A W. OSTER,
BEDFORD, PA.
They are now opening a large and handsome as
sortment of NEW and CHEAP DRY-GOODS,
Ready-Made Clothing, Cotton Yarns,
Hats, Boots and Shoes, Sun-Umbrellas, Para
sols, Groceries, Queeusware, Tobaccos and Ci
gars, Wall Papers, Wooden-ware, Brooms, &r c -
LOOK AT SOME OF THEIR PRICES :
Best styles DELAxNES, 22J and 25 cts.
CALICOES, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20 cts.
GINGHAMS, 12, 15, 20, 25cts.
MUSLINS, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25 cts.
CASSIMERES. 75, 85, 115, 125, 150, 165 cts.
LADIES' 6-4 SACKING, $1.65, 1.75, 2 00,
all wool.
DRILLING and PA NT A LOON S TUFFS,
20, 25, 30, 35 cts
GENTS' HALF-HOSE, 10,12, 15, 20, 25, 30,
35 cts.
LADIES' HOSE, 121, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35 cts.
LADIES' SHOES as low as 90 cts.
Good Rio COFFEE, 25 cts.; better, 28 cts.;
best, 30 cts.
Extra fine OOLONG, JAPAN, IMPERIAL
and YOUNG HYSON TEAS.
SUGARS and SYRUPS , a choice assort
ment.
MACKEREL and HERRING, late caught, i
fat fish.
We invite all to call and see for themselves.
A busy store and increasing trade, is a telling
fact that their prices are popular.
Terms CASH, unless otherwise specified.
may24m3.
gPLENDID
OPENING of
CHEAP
SPRING and
SUMMER
GOODS,
AT
FARQUHAR'S
uYe w Bargain Store,
REED'S BUILDING.
CALICOES, (good) - 12* c.
do (best) - - 18c.
MUSLINS, brown, - - 10c.
do (best) - 20c.
do bleached, - 10c.
do (best) - - 25c.
DELAINES, best styles, - 25c.
DRESS GOODS
*
of all kinds
VERY CHEAP.
MEN'S and BOYS'
COTTONADES,
GOOD and CHEAP.
A large stock of
FANCY
ALL WOOL
CASS I ME R ES
ASTONISH
INGLY
CHEAP.
BOOTS
AND
SHOES.
MEN'S
AND
BOYS'
HATS.
GROCERIES:
Best COFFEE, - - 30c
Brown SUGAR - from 10 to 150
FISH :
Mackerel and Potomac Herring.
QUEENSWARE
And a general variety of
NOTIONS.
Buyers are invited to examine
our stock as we are determined to
to sell cheaper than the cheapest.
J. B. FARQUHAR.
mayl7
jyiEW GOODS!! NEW GOODS!!
The undersigned has just received from the East a
large and varied stock of New Goods,
which are now open for
examination, at
MILL-TOWN,
two miles West of Bedford, comprising everything
usually found in a first-class country store,
consisting, in part, of
Dry-Goods,
Delaines,
Calicoes,
Muslins,
Cassimers,
Boots and Shoes,
Groceries,
Notions,
Ac., Ac.
i All of which will be sold at the most reasonable
prices.
EJp Thankful for past favors, we solicit a con
i tinuance ot the public patronage.
| Call and examine our goods.
may24,'67. G. YEAGER
SLIP BILLS, PROGRAMMES
POSTERS, and all kinds of PLAIN AND
FANCY JOB PRINTING, done with neatness
and despatch, at THE GAZETTE office.
TERMS OF PUBLICATION.
THE BEDFORD GAZETTE is published every Fri
day morning by MEYERS A MRHSEL, at $2.00 per
annum, if paid strictly in advance 52.50 if paid
within six months; $3.00 if not paid within six
months. All subscription accounts MUST be
settled annually. No paper will be sent out of
the State unless paid for is ADVANCE, and all such
subscriptions will invariably be discontinued at
the expiration of the time for which they are
paid.
All ADVERTISEMENTS for a less term than
three months TEN CENTS per line for each In
ertion. Special notices one-half additional All
esolutb ns of Associations ; communications of
in.ited or individual interest, and notices of nmr
•iages and deaths exceeding five line-, ten cents
er line. Editorial notices fifteen cents per line.
All legal Notices of every kind, and Orphans' 1
Court and Judicial Sales, are required by law
to be published in both papers published in this
place.
All advertising due after first insertion.
A liberal discount is made to persons advertising
by the quarter, half 3ear, or year, as follows:
3 months. 6 months. 1 year.
♦One square - - - $4 50 $6 00 $lO 00
Two squares ... 600 900 16 00
Three squares - - - 8 00 12 00 20 00
Quarter column - - 14 00 20 00 35 00
Half column - - - IB 00 25 00 45 00
One column - - - - 30 00 45 00 80 00
♦One square to occupy oue inch of space.
JOB PRINTING, of every kind, done with
neatness and dispatch. THE GAZETTE OFFICE has
just been refitted with a Power Press and new type,
and everything in the Printing line can be execu
ted in the most artistic manner and at the lowest
rates.—TERMS CASH.
lir All letters should he addressd to
MEYERS & MENGEL,
Publishers.
Skf ([Vjsfttc.
CONSPIRACY.
Ktarlling Official Document* from the
Attorney-General.
Alloyed Conspiracy to Fabricate Im
peachment Testimony.
Full Details of the Plot.
Terrible Charyes Ayainst Congressmen
Ashley and Butler.
Br. Johnson to be liuplicateil by Sub
orned Witnesses in the I.iueoln
Assassination.
Holt's endorsement of the Informer.
The Whole Diabolical Scheme Revealed
in Extciiso.
WASHINGTON, August 9.—The fol
lowing document has been obtained
from official sources:
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, )
August 5, 1807. i
MR. PRESIDENT: The application ot
Chas. A. Dunham having been referred
to this office, in the customary d ar 0 f
Executive business, for the examina
tion and advisory action of the Attor
ney General, it has become my duty,
during the indisposition and absence
of the distinguished incumbent of the
Law Department, carefully to consid
er the case. In respectfully declining,
as I do, to offer at present any recom
mendation in the premises, I beg to
submit for your consideration the rea
sons which constrain me to reserve ad
vice and suspend judgment until 1
shall have been further instructed by
your Excellency.
Dunham, the person applying for par
don. is the same who has become no
torious under the na#ieofSanford Con
over. He was recently convicted of
perjury in the District of < olumbia,
and is* as I am informed, now incarcer
ated, in accordance with the sentence
of the court. His application seems to
be predicated, in part, upon a supposed
■technical irregularity in the constitu
tion of the jury, and is supported main
ly by the services which he is alleged
to have rendered the cause of justice in
aiding the prosecuting counsel in the
collection of evidence and otherwise
upon the trial of John H. Surratt for
murder.
The papers upon which his applica
tion is grounded, and by which it is
sustained, consist of four in a parcel,
which, by endorsement, appear to have
reached the Executive office on Satur
day, the 27th of July, 1807. The first
is dated the 22(1 of July, and is written
upon the oTdinary note paper used by
members of the House of Representa
tives, with an engraved vignette cap
tion. The following is a copy:
FORTIETH CONGRESS UNITED
STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTA
TIVES, WASHINGTON, D. C., July 22,
1867. —Gentlemen: I suggest that a
petition something like the enclosed
he prepared and signed by you for the
pardon of Mr. Dunham. I think he is
clearly entitled to it, and hope you
will aid him all you can.
Respectfully,
J. M. ASHLEY.
Hon. J. Holt, Hon. A. G. Riddle.
It would seem from an expression '
used in this note that a draft of a peti
tion was enclosed. It does not appear
what petition was thus designated.
The next paper is the following from
a late Representative in Congress from
Ohio, now a member of the Washing
ton bar:
WASHINGTON, July 23,1867.—T0 the
President of the United States—Sir: I
was early in April last retained to aid
the Government in the prosecution of
John H. Surratt, and took the general
management of the preparation of the
case.
The labor and difficulties of the case
were great, and the Government is un
der great obligationstoCharles A. Dun
ham for much valuable information
botli as to the facts and witnesses for
the United States and for the history
of and facts concerning the witnesses
called for the defence. Although in jail
he managed to keep informed of the
progress of the case, and from time to
time communicated important facts
and suggestions, and seemingly for the
sole purpose of a fair investigation of
the case, whether it would work for his
benefit or not. It seems to me that for
his services in this behalf the Govern
ment should mark its appreciation of
them in away not to he mistaken.
Respectfully, A. G. RIDDLE.
Nothing is among the papers from
the office of the District Attorney or
from any of the counsel in the Surratt
case, excepting Mr. Riddle.
The next recommendation is from
the Bureau of Military Justice :
WASHINGTON, July 24, 1867.—1 con
cur with the Hon. A. G. Riddle in his
estimate of the value and importance
of the service rendered by Charles A.
Dunham, as set forth in the foregoing
letter to the President. A principle of
public policy leads governments to en
courage, by all honorable means, those
charged with crime to make disclos
ures which may and often do, result iu
unmasking even greater offenders than
BEDFORD, PA., FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 23, 1867.
I those who make them; and hence,
i when they are found to have acted
voluntarily and ingoodfaith, the high
est public considerations require that
their conduct shall be generously ap
preciated. The service of Dunham,
with the details of which Mr. Riddle
must be entirely familiar, as one of the
counsel in the case, seem to have been
performed without solicitation, and in
the interests of truth and justice, in
connection with one of the most im
portant criminal trials which has oc
curred in the history of the country;
and although his disclosures were not
directly connected with the criminality
of which he himself hits been convict
ed, yet it is believed that they do not
the less bring his case within the spirit
and reason of the rule of policy refer
red to, and hence it is for the Execu
tive to determine how far they shall he
accepted at once as a proof of his re
pentance, and as atonement to the law,
for whose violation he stands condemn
ed. J. HOLT
It may he proper to remark that the
recommendation of the Judde Advo
cate General is written upon one leaf
of the same sheet with that of Mr. Rid
dle, and not UJIOU official paper.
It will he observed that, notwith
standing this man stood condemned for
perjury, Mr. Riddle by actual experi
ence, and Judge Holt, upon satisfactory
grounds of belief, have fully realized
his usefulness in promoting by his
cooperation with public agents of jus
tice the casue of truth, on the occasion
of an investigation of national impor
tance; and also, that the latter inti
mates his opinion that he had fairly
atoned to the offended law, and had
satisfactorily demonstrated his repen
tance. It is remarkable that Dunham
himself, in his petition (which pur
ports to be in his own handwriting)
mentions no such grounds, hut trusts
mainly to a technicality. His petition
is as follows:
WASHINGTON, July 20, 1867.—T0 his
Excellency Andrew Johnson, Presi
dent of the United States: The peti
tion of Charles A. Dunham respectfully
shows that in the month of January
last he was tried, convicted, and sen
tenced to the penitentiary for perjury,
alleged to have been committed before
the Judiciary Committee of the House
of Representatives, during the investi
gation by said committee of charges
against Jeff Davis of complicity in the
conspiracy to assassinate President
Lincoln.
That the perjury assigned in the in
dictment against your petitioner was
in having falsely testified that he had
no reason to doubt, and did not doubt,
the truthfulness of certain depositions
made by two persons, called Campbell
and Snevel, at the time said deposi
tions were given by them in the Bureau
of Military Justice, and in testifying
that he had last seen said Campbell in
in June, 1865, and said Snevel
m \\ llmiiigton. £7. C., in August 1805.
That on the trim yoni petitioner,
said Campbell and Snevel declared that
their real names were House and Rob
erts, and that the depositions they had
made and sworn to in the Bureau of
Military Justice were absolutely false
from beginningtoend,and were known
to he so by your petitioner, and that
they were not at—; said Campbell in
Canada in June, 18G5, or said Snevel in
Wilmington in August, 1865, the places
at which your petitioner claimed to
have last seen them.
That it was entirely upon this testi
mony of said self-convicted perjurers
that your petitioner was convicted,
and that without the said testimony of
said persons, the jury before whom
your petitioner was tried could not
have found a verdict of guilty.
Your petitioner further says that he
was tried and convicted by a jury not
qualified to try him. That the jurors
before whom he was so tried and con
demned were illegally selected and
drawn, as decided by the Court in the |
case of John H. Surratt—the manner
and form of selecting the jurors in the
case of Surratt, and your petitioner be
ing identical—that in the discussion on
the opening of the trial of Surratt, us to
the legal qualification of the jurors who
had been empanelled to try him, it j
was contended by the prosecution and
decided by the Court, that said jurors
were informally and irregularly select
edau(l<lrawn,and that any verdict they
might render upon any trial would he
absolutely void.
Your petitioner further says that un
der the rules and practice of the Su- j
preme Court of this District the above '
informality in theselection and drawing
of ajury does not, after sentence under
a verdict found by such ajury, consti
tutea ground for a new trial or other !
relief by the court, and that the only
remedy for such an illegal conviction
lies in an application to the Executive
for pardon. CHAKL SA. DUNHAM.
The above are all the papers which
have come to my knowledge in rela
tion to the application for pardon.
When considered in connection with
other papers, adventitiously received,
they excite p culiar interest and com
mand careful attention, and it is the
extraordinary gravity of the import of
these papers last mentioned in connec
tion with the source whence they came,
which makes it my delicate duty to
submit their contents for your.studious
consideration, and suggest that some
proper disposition ought to he made of
them in consonance with thedignity of
the Government and in justice to all
parties. I introduce them as follows:
First. A communication addressed
to the President of the United States,
bearing date Washington, July 29th,
1867, and signed Charles A. Dunham.
It will he seen that this person, who
is testified to by gentlemen of official
and professional responsibility and of
distinguished sagacity to he capable of
great ami valuable service in the disclo
sures of crime, makes startling assevera
tions directly against prominent mem
bers of the national Legislature.
WASHINGTON, July 29,1867,—T0 his
Excellency, Andrew Johnson, Presi
dent of the United States: In applying
to your Excellency for pardon, 1 had
not intended to offer any disclosures
concerning the plotting of your ene
mies against you which could he re
garded as inducement for granting my
application. L instructed my wife, in
presenting the petition, to refer to the
conspiracy of Ashley and company so
far only as appeared* necessary to re
move any unfriendly feeling that might
have been engendered within you to
ward me by the newspaper reports that
I had engaged to assist .your enemies
in their nefarious designs. I adopted
this reserve in the belief that the ser
vices I had rendered the Government,
as certified to by Judge Hoit, the Hon.
Mr. Riddle and* Mr. Ashley, would, in
your view and judgment, render mede
serving of Executive clemency; and be
cause I desired that it should appear
on the record, and on the face of my
pardon, that clemency had been ex
tended to me solely in consideration of
my services to the Government, and
exclusively on the recommendation of
prominent Radicals, to the end that,
vvhe n T should come to expose the atro
cious plot of Ashley and company, the
Radicals would not he in a position or
able to charge me with doing so in con
sideration of a pardon; or that the
President had pardoned me on condi
tion of my implicating his enemies in
an infamous conspiracy.
From the moment I was forced into
association with these traitors and con
spirators, I determined, as soon as I
should he released, to place in the
hands of your Excellency or lay before
the public a complete exposure oftheir
diabolical designs and most astounding
proceedings. This, I believe, would
he my sacred duty; for, although ac
cused of crime, I am not so destitute of
honor and patriotism as not to feel some
interest in and obligations to my coun
try.
The interest these persons have felt,
and the effort they have made (which
would have succeeded ere this hut for
the blunder of one of them), and which
they still propose to make for my re
lease(F.G.|, I know were prompted by
the most selfish motives, in order that
they might use me as an instrument to
accomplish their devilish designs; and
1 shall not, therefore, he guilty of in
gratitude in abandoning and exposing
their villainy.
My wife has, I believe, explained to
you how Ashley, first through his man
Friday, Matchett, and afterwards in
person, managed to make known to
me his wishes, aims and purposes, and
enlist n le, as far as a forced promise
would go, in his enterprise. 1 shall,
therefore, only advert here to some
things which have been said and done
by the which are suscepti
ble of being proved against them by
the most irrefutable evidence.
After obtaining my promises to ren
der all the assistance in my power, Mr.
Ashley explained to me the kind of
evidence he thought it most advisable
to present against you. He thought
it would be very plausible to prove:
First. That Booth had on several oc
casions paid you familiar visits at the
Kirk wood. Tiiis, it was hoped, I
might he able to induce some of the old
female servants to testify to. If this
could not be done, then it should he
proved by some of my friends who
happened to he at the house at the
time, who knew Booth, Are., and saw
the visit
Secondly. That your corespondence
with Booth, which should he shown by
one or more persons who had taken
notes front Booth to you, and your re
plies (contents unknown) thereto to
Booth. The witnesses should he per
sons who would profess to have been
intimate with Dooiii, <yuil 10 LITTVTS LHHMI
enlisted by him to take part in the as
sassination.
Thirdly. That the placing of Atzerott,
with weapons, at the Kirkxvood House,
was only a sham—although Atzerott
was not aware of it —to make it appear
that you were intended asa victim, and
thus distract all suspicion from you of
conniving at Lincoln's murder. These,
also it was suggested, could testify that
they had been induced to enter into the
conspiracy with Booth, and had per
formed a part of organizing it, etc.,
which persons, it was to he understood
were induced to testify under an assur
ance from the government that they
should not he presented for any part
they had taken.
•The resolution under which Butler's
committee was appointed, it will he
observed, provides for the protection
of such persons—who are furnished
with a good excuse for not coming for
ward before—by offering immunity to
all who were connected with the con
spiracy who will now come forward
and disclose their knowledge on the
subject.
Fourthly. That Booth, just after the
4th March, stated to intimate friends in
N. York, whonilie endeavored to enlist
in the conspiracy, that he was acting
with the knowledge of the Vice-Pres
ident, and that it had been arranged to
kill Lincoln on the day of the inaugur
ation, which would account for Mr.
Johnson's strange conduct on that oc
casion, which had provoked so much
comment in the press. That you ex
pected the tragedy to he enacted then
and had taken several potations to com
pose and nerve you for the event; and
that you were not so much intoxicated
as nervous and excited.
I feel much delicacy in referring to
such topics, hut I cannot inform jou of
your enemies' plans and projects with
out being plain, and I am obliged to
write in too great haste to he choice in
my language.
1 assured Ashley that 1 should have
no difficulty in finding persons of good
standing and moral character to prove
these matters, and it was agreed that I
would do so as soon as released. [A.
F. G.J
As an earnest that I possessed the
ability to do what I engaged, and in
order to satisfy some of ttieir party who
doubted the existence of evidence to
connect you with the assassination con
spiracy, Ashley and Butler desired
and pressed me to send for twoor three
persons of whose intelligence and
qualifications they could satisfy them
selves, and whom they could parade he
fore their incredulous friends.
I consented, and Ashley supplied the
facts it was desired they should know
and repeat, and I forwarded them to
a trusty friend, with secret explana
tions for him to procure two other
friends to commit to memory the
statements enclosed to him, and when
sent for to come here and repeat them
(but not under oath) to such persons as
1 should indicate.
After allowing my friends sufficient
time to learn their parts, the Rev. Mr.
Matehet (B) was sent for then, in order
that i- might he said that he, agent for
the impeacliers, had found tlie wit
nesses, and that their character for
veracity was above suspicion.
()n arriving here these persons were
inspected by Ashley and Butler, and
were found to possess the requisite
qualifications as to intelligence and
personal appearance, but unfortunately
for the inspectors, it was deemed neces
sary to make some changes, modifica
tions in some and additions to other
portions of their statements, before
presenting them to the lukewarm Rad
icals upon it was their intention to in
flame. It being impracticable for the
men to meet at the jail on such business,
and equally so for me to communicate to
them the desired changes and neces
sary explanations in writing to enable
them to incorporate those changes in
their original statements without lead
ing to confusion or contradiction, it
was found necessary for soinebedy else
VOL. 62.--WHOLE No. 5,406.
to take my office of preceptor, Ac. —
This, with slight hesitation, was done
by .Air. Ashley, on my assurance that
the parties were Radicals, dyed in the
wool, and men of hono r in whom lie
could safely repose confidence.
1 have learned both from Ashley and
the parties themselves what was said
and done between them in the matter.
The statements they were desired to
make were revised and Mr. Ashley
and they were assured hy hiin that in
case it should he determined to ex
amine them before the committee they
should be splendidly rewarded.
Mr. Ashley also discoursed to them
on the propriety and justice of the
course it was proposed to pursue to
make certain of the impeachment of
the President. He declared that you
were a traitor to your party and coun
try, Ac. That there was no doubt of
your complicity in the assassination
conspiracy, but that the evidence was
in the hands of your friends and could
not all be got at. That enough, how
ever, had been secured to satisfy most
reasonable men of your guilt; but that
in order to satisfy the most exacting,
the statement of these persons before
the committee would be requisite.—
That the end fully justified the means,
and that every man who contributed
in this way to the impeachment of the
President would deserve well of the
country, and that he (Mr. Ashley)
would see them rewarded tenfold when
your successor should come into power.
Subsequently the parties were pre
sented to Mr. Butler, and after being
inspected and passed by him, were
int oduced by liiin and Ashley to the
several Radical members of the House,
who, it was understood, had hitherto
doubted ttie existence of evidence im
plicating you in the assassination con
spiracy, and who informally interro
gated tliein as to the matters upon
which they bad been instructed. | A. |
Mr. Butler desired to have taken the
depositions of these men at the time,but
I would not consent to its being done
nit'i 1 I should be released, as at first
agreed.
These facts can be proved by these
persons, and also by my wife, whose
character for truth and veracity is not
inferior to Mr. Ashley's,and I shall take
pleasure, if at liberty, in producing
them before any committee or tribunal
for the impeachment of the impeach
ers.
But the evidence of this conspiracy
does not depend entirely upon oral
proof. The letters from Ashley, here
with enclosed, in themselves speak vo
lumes. What statmerit (B) from me
could he have wanted, and for what
purpose? Anything it was in my pow
er to state to hint could have been stat
ed to him orally a dozen times during
(lis previous visits to me.
The statnient lie wanted was this,
and for this purpose. There were
many prominent Radicals, and espec
ially among his own eonstitutents, who
were lukewarm on the subject of im
peachment, who were not prepared to
believe that you were privy to the
murder of Lincoln, and whose co-oper
ation was greatly needed. Ashley
therefore desired to be able to place
before theni assurances that the most
unquestionable evidence of your guilt
could be produced. He therefore re
quested me to prepare an elaborate
paper, setting forth that such ai d such
pers ms could be produced who knew
and would testify to this, tli t and the
other tiling, including the pretensions
that Booth lnul been seen in your room
several times; that you had correspond
ed with hin and with parties in Rich
mond ; and that the persons who could
testify to these facts were of the most
respectable standing, and would come
forward and tell all they knew, if pro
tected by the government. lie wished
me to put it in a style and tone that
would be sure to carry conviction with
it. He desired that in addition to the
points of evidence we had conferred a
bout, my statement should contain
others, and he gave me a memorandum
of other points, which he requested me
to incorporate in niv statement (B).—
This memorandum I inclosed, and I
believe it is in Matchett's handwriting
(A). After preparing the statement I
sent it to him at Toledo, where lie wish
ed to make use of it (C).
There is another note from Ashley
inclosed worthy of attention. It is in
pencil, and was written at the office of
Judge Cartter, (E F.) after the failure,
through the blundering of
to secure my release at the time pro
mised, because angry, and used pretty
severe language to Matchett. He went
to Ashley and Butler in alarm, and
reported that I was going to expose the
entire scheme to .you.
After the persons I ha 'sent fortoXew
York as witnesses, had returned, Match
ett endeavored without my knowl
edge to persuade them to come here a
gain, and in bis letters to two of them
lie thoughtlessly suggested some ad
ditions that it was desired they should
make to their statements. He made
these suggestions by letter, as bis let
ters expla'ned, because he was not cer
tain that he should be here when thy
arrived, or they might meet Judge
Bingham, or some other person they
had been introduced to when previous
ly here, before he could see tlieni and
give them points, and he therefore
wanted them "posted."
After my talking to him so severly
on account of the failure to have me
released at the time promised, Mr.
Matchett became frightened, and seem
ed to get the idea that I had letters to
those parties, and had sent them, or
copies of them, to you. Possibly, in
my anger, I thus uttered as much.—
He, therefore, made known his fears
to Ashley and Butler, and Ashley en
deavored by this note to obtain the let
ters.
I have just been ordered to get ready
for the penitentiary.
CHARLES A. DUNHAM.
The following are the several papers
which accompany the above. The
letters of reference inserted in tiie
foregoing and annexed to the succeed
ing are not upon the original, but are
introduced solely for your convenience
in perusing the report.
The subjoined paper, headed memor
andum by the hand that wrote it,bears
internal evidence of having been fur
nished as a guide to some persons or
persons who were expected to fabricate
corresponding testimony:
[A]. Memorandum. —Shortly before
the inauguration of Lincoln and John
soil, the latter, through or in connection
with Booth, sent several letters to the
Confederacy, oneof which was intended
for Jefferson Davis. These letters were
borne by a messenger named Allen,
who provided wicn a safe conduct
through our picket lines, and was sup
posed to have been sent on secret duty
in connection with his command. He
was also provided with papers from
a rebel emissary at the North to insure
his proper treatment when he should
enter the Confederate lines. After de
livering: his mail in Richmond, he
returned bearing several letters, which
he received from J. 1. Benjamin. These
letters were enclosed to Booth.
I On returning to Washington Allen
called on Booth and delivered the pack
age, and Booth, after examning some
of the letters, went out, as he said, in
search of his messenger. The messen
ger could not be found, and Booth
asked Allen if he was too tired to walk
as far as the Kirk wood House. Allen
replied in the negative, when Booth
drawing fordi the package which had
been brought from Richmond, selected
a letter addressed to Andrew Johnson,
Vice-President of the United State-,
and asked Allen to deliver it. Allen
promised todoso and then if com pan ied
Booth to the bar-room to first take a
drink.
Here Allen met a friend, who was in
vited to join them in taking a drink,
and afterwards accompanied hi in to the
Kirk wood House and heard him inquire
if Mr. Johnson was in and saw him go
into his (Johnson's) room. This friend
waited until Allen came down stairs,
when he asked him jocularly, what in
the devil's business he had to do with
Johnson; if he was already begging
lor an office.
Allen can be produced as well as the
friend who accompainied him to Kirk
wood House with Booth. Allen before
going to Richmond, had been induced
by Booth to believe that he was a con
fidential and secret agent jfthegovern
ment, and that the letters brought by
himhad reference to peace propositions
which would speedily tend to a sus
pension of hostilities and the restora
tion of the Union. Add aiso, that it
can further be proved by two persons,
formerly rebel soldiers, that Booth, on
the first or second day before 11 is death,
fell in with them near Garrett's ami
asked their advice and assistance in his
efforts to escape. Jie injormed them
that he had killed Lincoln, and thereby
made a good Southern man President.
One of the parties, whose name is
Dawson, said to him that if he meant
that he had made Andy Johnson Pres
ident, he had done the worst possible
thing for the South: as he was more
extreme in his views, and a greater en
emy to the South than Lincoln. Booth
replied that it was a mistake; that
Johnson as a candidate or office-seeker
had to say a great many things, but
that as President he could do as he
pleased ; that he was bound to be a
friend to the South, and that if he
went back on him (Booth) he would
have him hung higher than Hainan.
These men belong to good families
and have excellent characters, and can
be produced as witnesses.
Ilere the paper ends, but the follow
ing which was originally the final
clause and is now cancelled, is still leg
ible.
For the names of Dawson and Allen,
used above, leave blanks, or substitute
the names of such persons as you know
will take their parts.
1151 THURSDAY MORNING,
April 18, ISG7.
DEAR SIR : A telegram calls me to
Philadelphia and I go on the 11 o'clock.
A. M. train. 1 therefore send yon an
env< lope in which you can send me by
mail your statement.
I hope you will be able to put it in
the office "this evening so that I can get
it next Monday. Wishing you every
success, I am yours truly,
J. M. ASHLEY.
[At and after the word "Statement"
above, the words "incorporating the
verbal" are stricken studiously out.]
[C] TOLEDO, Ohio, April 28, 18(17.
MY L)EAR SIR : <>n my return home
to-day I found your favor and the
promised statement inclosed. I expect
to be in Washington on Thursday, and
will see you that day or the next morn
ing. Truly your friend,
J. M. Asm EY.
('. A. Dunham Esq., Washington.
This letter seems to have come here
in a common envelope superscribed "C.
A. Dunham, President," and is much
pocket-soiled. The same applies to the
following :
F D] . SATURDAY, A. M. June 1, 1867.
DEAR SIR : Your note is just retriev
ed. Lot your counsel act as he deem
best, taking advantage of every legal
point which may be presented, I think
the course proposed by them is all that
we want. Truly, J. M. ASHLEY.
Next we have the following :
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, July
8, 18(57.
MY DEAR SIR: 1 have just seen
your wife, and have your letter. You
may rest assure I that I do not credit
the/ufneund stupid reports made against
you. If you had the letters I know
yeu would never send copies to J .
If you can put the originals in my
hands I will say that no one shall take
or destroy them without your express
order in writing, exeeptyou are releas
ed. Will see your wife again this even
ing. Respectfully, J. M. ASHLEY.
('. A. Dunham.
This note is not written in ink, but
in pencil, and though dated "House
Reps." is upon a half sheet of plain
note paper, apparently torn from some
note which had been carried in the
pocket. It comes here in an envelope,
superscribed t 1 A. Dunham, Esq., pre
sent. The envelope also shows some
apparently idle scribbling.
| FJ APRII , 2n 'G7
DUNHAM: It is all. righr. The
matter will rest forth." present, or until
the thing is arranged in May. You
Will not leave the city ad interim. Mr.
A. will return next week, when any
other matters will be adjusted. Yours,
W. B. M.
This is written on asmall serap, in ink,
superscribed C. A. Dunham, Present.
On astillsmaller and much soiled scrap
in pencil, but evidently by the same
hand, is this memorandum or explana
tion: ,
[G.J 1. The Court cannot act without
being a particeps criminis.
2. Congress will, at the proper time,
increase its power.
3. Witnesses will first be called before
the committee.
This, sir, completes a full and literal
recital of all the papers or other adher
ing data before nie. The parcel com
prising all but the pardon papers reach
ed this office in an envelope from the
Executive Mansion,endorsed, "Receiv
ed from Mrs. Dunham, July 30,18G7."
The papers having come from the
hands of a person whose application
for pardon was undergoing official
examination here, were lor very obvi
ous reasons, associated with it in con
sidering the matter. Struck by their
extraordinary character, yetreremem
bering in how unexpected and casual
a manner they had been received at the
Executive office, I immediately deter
mined that until I should have made
ttiis report, their quality and signifi
cance, whatever these may be, should
remain unchanged by investigation, or
bv any extraneous connection or associ
ation whatever not only ot record, but
as far as practicable in my own mind.
This course it is necessary to bear in re
collection in the act of estimating the
probable weight or value of the allega
tions. Never having seen the hand wri
ting of the Hon. Mr. Ashley, I thought