The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-05-19
The Booth Conspiracy.
ADDRESS eF BEVERLY TUCKER TO TIE Pro
PIE OF CANADA.

L IL pC SA-'hbA'
Montreal, May 4, 1865.
TO the people of Canada:
have this moment seen the proclama-
ZION Of Andrew Johnson, acting president
Of the United States, stating that sit ap.
pears, from evidence in the bureau of mil
itary justice, that the atrocious murder Of
the late President, Abraham Lincoln, and
the attempted assassination Of the Hon.
w. Il. Seward, Secretary Of State, was
melted, concerted and procured by aud
between Jefferson Davis, late Of Richmond,
Va, and Jacob Thompson, Clemen, G.
Clay, Beverly Tucker, Geo. N. Sanders,
W. c. Cleaiy, and others, rebels and trait
ors against the Government Of The United
States, harbored in Canada" and Offering
rewards for the apprehension of the ac>
cused :25 600 being the sum offered for
my arrest. 1t is scarcely possible that
such proclaim alton would have been Issued
unless some such "evidence has been
adduced VIVA, such "eyidence is
am totally at loss to onjecture. | am
compelled, therefore, to content myself
with the declaration that hosoever hath
sworn to anything authorizing in the
slightest degree suspicion of my having
melted, concerted, or procu'ed,' or Of
any knowledge whatever by me Of the at
tacks made on the President and Mr.
Seward, or any acts or project Of kindred
character, or Of any plan to kidnsp CT
capture either Of them, or any of the fed
eral authorities, hath biackened his soul
with diaLoIical perjury. Until information
reached here CT the attack on Preslden,
Lincoln 10y J. Wilkes Booth, and that on
Mr.. Seward by some other person, | did
not know that any such person as J
Wilkes Booth existed. l had never heard
of him before. do not know any Of tie
persons in arrest a. Washington, and new
er heard Of them till ] read the notices in
the United States newspapers OF their ap.
prehension. | have, within day or two
made inquiry, and ascertained that Mr.
Booth left St. Lawrence ball, Montreal, or
the 9th Of October last. The officers o.
The Ontario bank state that on that day
he purchased of the ba- K bill on Eng
land for 9l6 Us. Id, fox which he paiC
! in American gold, and, at the same time
made deposit Of 1855 Canada money
which vet remains to bis credit, and !ha
he stated that lie intended 10 run the
blockade. Whether he made such attempt
or went into the United States by railroad
| have not sscertained.
| The clerks Of the ST. Lawrence hall in
form me that he arrived a, the house OF
the 18th of October, being here nine days
| was not in Montreal during that time
My association with the other gentlemen
named in this atrocious proclamation hes
been intimate for yesrs, and admitit wo Ic
be strange f they had any knowledge 0
Mr. Booth S purposes, that should be il
utter ignorance of il.
The whole business is, in my delioerat,
jud gnent, an attempt to get up pretex
fox a difficulty with ihe British provinces
and the consideration that since ! hav,
been here | have received nothing bu
hospitality and kindness from you, mpel
me to make this brief address to aid in th
dissipation Of such pre.exs. l have TO
day appealed to President Johnson ant
Secretary Stanton to allow me copies o
the alleged evidence" with respect to Try
self, to give me chance 10 disPro,e it.
will add. that ! will 60 before an,
magistrate here and verify the above BY
my solemn oath, and that | will egret
that the United States consul, or any res
pectable counsel be may designate, shat
cross examine me in relation to the alege(
evidence - or any other and all nets O
my life. BEVERLY TUCKER.