American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-06-21
VOLUME 2.
THE CONSPIRACY TRIAL
TESTIMONY or THE DEFENSE
O'LAUGHLIN.
Highly Important Proceedings
WASHINGTON, june II.

sion Tor TWO weeks lOhSSi' 'hN
ants issued subpenqs this evening Tor II
additional witnesses, and the Government
has in reserve eight or ten yet to be put
upon the stand as testimony in chief, so
that it is probable the evidence will not
be closed before the latter part Of this
week
AS directly affecting the prisoners there
was no testimony introduced today, save
that. of witness on be half of O'Laugh-
lin. who testified that the prisoner was in
his company all the evening Of the 18th
of April, and that they were not at the
house of Secretary Stanton on that night.
This witness has known O'Laughlin, init
-mately for several year2 lie IS rGPu'
table witness, and his evidence is of the
utmost Importance to the prisoner, as 1t
throws doubt upon the testimony Of tie
Government witnesses who were not ac-
ouainted with O'Laughliu, and GOULD not
be positive IN their identity Of the accu-
sed when they testified that they saw hlm
hanging about the door Of the dwelling
on the night of the illuminatonj appar-
emily watching the movements OF General
Grant, who was that evening the guest OF
Mr.. Stanton.
Giving the prisoner the benefit of his
testimony and of the doubt which by the
rule of law should be resolved in his IA
vor, he yet stands clearly convicted OF
completely with Booth in his conspiracy
as it existed but short time prior to the
assassination.----
Witnesses were called to establish the
character of Lawyer Norton, 3 Govern
meut witness, for credibility.
Mrs. l.. Grant, Of Warrenton, Virgin
ia, recognized Payne as the man whom
she saw last Christmas in front Of her
house have three Union soldier in charge,
when an attempt was made by Payne's
men to kill the prisoners; but witness
heard Payne say he would defend his pris-
oncrs with his life. One of the prison
crs was killed when the party left the
road and witness did not see them after
wards
On cross examination witness said that
Payne was then called Liopt. Powell and
dressed as a Confederate.
John Grant, husband Of the former
witness, testified to the same effect.
j. p. Patterson testified that o Laugh
lin was with him on the night of April
18th, and not near Secretary Stanton's
house
On cross.examination witness testified
that o Laughliu told him he had been to
see Booth about six o'clock that evening,
and was going to see him next morning.
When Witness said O'Langhlin sad he
had been to see Booth but had not seen
him as Booth was out, O'Laughlin did not
state his objectin seeing Booth. O'Laugh-
lin did not suggest staying in Washing
ton; witness himself made that sugges-
ton
X. II. Sale testified that J. u. jenkins
was considered a Union man in his opin-
ion. Witness was perfectly indifferent as
to whether the rebellion failed or sue
ceeded
Adjutant General Townsend testified to
the paper offered in the evidence, that it
was the Presidents endorsement on it
was in the handwriting of Gabriel j,
Rains, Brigadier General in the Confed-
crate service the document was dated
Dec 10th, 1868, and addressed to Capt.
Mcdaniel, commanding Torpedo Compa-
ny and signed John Maxwell ; it sets
forth in substance, that in obedience to
the order of the person to whom it is ad-
dressed, and with means and equipments
furnished by him, the writer left Rich
mond on the 26th of July, 1864, fer the
James river, to operate with. Horolo-
gicah's torpedo, against the enemy's ves-
sells. The writer was accompanied by r.
K. billiard After sundry adventures,
these two men reached City Point before
day-break on the 9tl Of August. The
writer gives the result of his operations as
Requesting my companion TO remain
behind about half mile, cautiously
approached the wharf with my machine
and poyder, covered by small box
Finding the Captain had come ashore
from the barge then at the wharf, | seiz
ed the occasion to hurry forward with my
box. Being halted by one of the whari
sentinels, succeeded in passing him BY
representing that the Captain had order
ed me to convey the box on board. Hail
ing the man from the barge put the ma
chine in motion and gave it in his charge
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