The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-19

! produced to satisfy me that in most cases,
without any danger to the parties engaged,
and in others, but very slight, we can, first,
burn every vessel that leaves 8 foreign port
for the United States; and second, we can
| burn every transport that leaves the har-
| bJr of New York, or other Northern ports,
with supplies for the army of the enemy
in the South. Third, we can burn every
transport and gunboat on the Mississippi
river, IS we'll as devsstste the country and
fill his people with terror and consterna-
tion. am not alone in this opinion, but
many other gentlemen ire as fully i'm
pressed with the conviction as am
l believe we have the means st our
command, if promptly appropriated and
entirely applied TO demoralizs Northern
people in very short time. For the pur-
pose of satisfying your mind on the sub
jsct, 1 respectfully, but earnestly request,
you will have an interview with General
Harris, formerly member of Congress from
Missouri, who, think, is able by conclu-
sive efforts, to convince you that what
practicable. The deep interest have in
the success of our cause in this struggle,
with the conviction Of the importance of
availDg ourselves of every element of de-
fense m Ist be my excuse for Witing you, land
requesting you to invite General Harris to
see you. If you should see proofs to be 80
pleased signify the time when it will be
convenient for you to see him.
am, respectfully,
Your obedIeLt servant,
TSigned, W. S. OLDHAM.
On the back of the letter are the two en-
dorse nents, the first being Hon. W. s. Old
ham, Richmond, February 18th, 1855,
in relation to the plans and means of
burning the enemy's shipping: towns, etc.
Preparations are in the hands of Professor
Mccullough, and are known only to one
party, end asks she President to have an
interview with General Harris, formerly
from Missouri, on the subject. The secre-
tary nf State. at his convenience, will
please see General Harris, and learn Wllet
plan he has for overcoming the difficulty 4
heretofore experienced.
Feb'y II, 1865, J.. D. Feb'y 20, 1865.
Washington Bruce testified that he ssw
-AI--~-vs DeTw5eu Il ] and q O'Clock on the
night of the assassination. He got into the
street car st 9th Street, and rode towards
the Navy Ytrd. He stopped near the
Navy Yard to wait till the car cine back; |
he was little excited
1T. Owens testified TO knowing Profess |
sor Mccullough for 20 years. He was dis
tinguished as q chemist; was Professor Of
Chemistry in Princeton College and Pro-
fessor of Mathematics at Jefferson College,
Penn, where witness graduated in 1889 or |
ls4O, and became asssyor in the mint st
Philadelphia.
Judge A B. Olin testified that he visited
Ford's theatre on the the 18th and l6tn of
April and inspected the Presidents box.
he describes the apparent preparstiens
for the brrce, incision in the door, &c.
Msjor Rsthbone was re-exsmined, and
stated that the brace was against the inside
of the door, and he removed it without diff
Guilty when he went for medical aid for the
President; thought it could not be loosed
by any pressure from the outsid.
Isaac Jscquett testi0ed to finding the
bar or brace, and taking it home. A piece
was sawed oil subsequently by an ef6cer.
Joseph Leving, colored, ,wssre-exfmined
He testified that Harry Ford and another
gentleman whose name he did not know,
sent witness to bring q rocking chair from
FoId's room; when he brought it spsngler
was not on the stsge.
On cross-examinAtion he said he did not
been there; he had bsen there 30 long that
he did not notice the gentlemen particular
Iy. Thought the name Of the other gen.
slemsn with Ford was Buckingham, but
might be mistaken. 1
Lieut.. Pofey was recalled, and testified
10 having visited the stable on the corner
Of 18th and G streets, and to have recog-
nized the horse he took up on the night of
.he l4th of April.
VIM. Eaton testified ne went to Booths
room on the night of the assassination,
opened his trunk, took out papers, and
placed them in the hands of Lieuten-
snt Terry, at the Provost Marsbafs office.
Lieutenant Terry, attached TO the Provost
MarshsPs Office, testified to the receipt of
The foregoing papers, and produced the
letter, the envelope addressed
J. Wilkes Booth, Esq, National Hotel,
Washington, and pOstmarked, seemingly,
Baltimore, March 80, which was read By
Col. Burnett to the Court: -
HoOKsTowN, Baltimore Co., March 20,
ls65.-Dear John: Was business 80
important mat you could not remain
N Baltimore until l saw YOU
[ came in as soon as I could anu found you
lRd gone to Washington. called also to
zee Mike, but learned from his mother that
be had gone out with you and had not re-
.urned. I concluded, therefore, he had
gone with you. How inconsiderate YOU
have been. When l left, you stated We
would not meet in q month or 80, therefore
[ made application for employment an
answer to which shall receive during the
week. told my parents I had ceased
with you, csn l then, under existing cir
oumstsuces come as you request. You
know full well the Government suspicious
is going on there. Therefore
The undertaking is becoming more compli-
Gated. Why not for the present, desist,
for various reasons which if you look into
you can readily see without my making
any mention thereof. You know any one
can censure me for my present course. You
have its cause, for how can now come
after telling them had left you. Sus-
pieions rest upon me from my whole fam
lly, and even parties in the country. I |
will compelled to leRue home any how, and
how soon l care nyt. Not one was more
for the enterprise than myself, and to. day.
would be there, had you not done as you
have. By this l mean the manner of pro-
cedding. am IS you well know in need |
am, you may say, in rags; whereas, to-
day, ought 30 be we'll clothed. / do not |
feel right, stalking about without means
and, from appearances, q beggsr. I feelmy
but even this was forgotten, |
for was one with you. Third. More prop
1sitions Will arrive. Do nOt act rashfy, or |
n haste. would prsfer your first way. |
80 and see how 1t viii be taken in r. d. &
6. Long. 1 shall be better prepared to be
sgsIn be with you. dislike writing. j
Would much sooner verbally make known
ny views, yet your now waiting causes me |
,hus to proceed. Do not in singer peruse