New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-07-18
IIore Evidence Regarding mrs
Surratt.
nER PRETENDED INNOCENCE
Attempt 70 Poison tho Late Presi.
dent.
The following appears in The Philadelphia


Mrs. Surratt is dead and what ! now have to 81!
can do her no harm There was time when Lone nae
mere respect for her than L. -
When living did everything for her that was IN M
power. testified 10 her character nobly. plea'
for her day after day with those in authority that the
might spare her life because she ives woman, an'
because she was kind to me once. 1t was III VAN
The Government knows best. ard must make
dread and just example TO terrify all enemies to FREE
YET after all this an attempt has been made by on
Bropby in Washiu gton. 10 blacken my character IL
silence him and many other sympathlzers with gum,
deem il necessary TO present the following 10 the pnpnc
Let them judge and decide iaiily.
LOUIS j. WEIcHMAN.
.MR. wgrCHMANy's STATEMENT.
The affidavit Of John r. Brophy Of Washington u
the public instead of being TO me matter OF surprls
and anger has been one almost OF daily expectation
TO prove its utter worthessness is merely necessary
90 state that il twice submitted 10 Judge Holt an'
once to all the members 0f the Court ano 10 fIeslue
Johnson himself before the execution of Mrs Surratt
and that il had no effect whatever. COL Bennett MIN
self handed the charges almost ten DAYS before 'n
trial was closed They had been sent 10 nm Dy SOM
one who was afraid to aflix his signature thereto
laughed at them then since they We're rdicuous ara
now pronounce the statement, 30 extensively copeu y
various papers, tissue of lies from beginning 10 emu
1t puzzles me much TO know why these monstfou
charges were not brought ont the Winsss stahu "
the learned counsel Aiken, and his worthy associate
Clsmpi.t, who are in close communion WIN br9pny
The case had not been closed when read them. lSs'
then and am now prepared TO all such charges
Brophy himself was summoned twice, once for the
defense and for the prosecutions but according to
his own wishes he appeared on the stand. had
him and dozen Trustworthy. gentlemaniy witnesses
called to prove my character, against which ne dares
not cay one word.
1t was only after very fearful pro.estation his
part that his poor old mother would cry herself TO
death she saw bis name in the papers in connection
with this trial that sent note into tie Courtroom
to Col Burnett TO release him. and he at once aceeded
TO his wishes.
BrOpLy's poor old mother had, consequently, no
reason 10 shed tears.
never visited President johnson. never wrote a
letter TO him and don't believe that Mrs Surratt was
an innocent woman The expression about Judge Holt
Is an infamous lie Brophy accuses Inc of dsloyaty,
would here say that no person throughout the W~le
trial had his good character fully youched for
have 1t is beyond reproacb, either as regards loyalty
yeracity or morality.
Brophy had better clear bis own shoes first. He is
alien, has been naurazed, and has not taken
the oath of allegiance the Government which he at
tempts to assai in the person Of Its chief witness
very prevalent ruinor too, has gained ground that
was placed in irons and maltrcaed and threatened by
the Secretary of War This is another error. The
War Department had all the information which pos
sessed orsthe morning of the 10th OF April II was
given freely and without cOmpusioD. The Govern
IDent too furnished with money and trans portaton
TO go to Canada in pursuit of John Ii. Surstt.
Throughout the trial. the treatment experienced at
the handc OF the Secretary Of War Judges Holt Bur
nett and Bingham and the members of the court,
very marked indeed end courteous.
As regards my testimony have nothing to regret.
Conscious y.
60 all stand to-day in the pure light OF heav N Min
out sin my soul to answer for as regards The
trial Of the cOns,-,,o
Ssr from Considering 1t disgrace 10 have been a
Government witness, can only esteem 1t an honor
that have been of much assistance IN errenf nut
The diabOlca schemes Of traitors and cOnsplrators
am panied only because Of one thing viz: that
have been deceived so much in Mrs. Surrau and her
son.
Much has been said and much has been written abont
Mrs Surratt's innocence. Sensation paragraphs are
being scattered throughout the country rdicuDg our
own times accusing US OF want OF deieIe me- anu
of knight errantry, when woman was respected IN
court, and camp. and tourney, and banquet hall The
United States Government itself is assailed, and
charged with having murdered an innocent woman.
That woman so kind 50 compassionate, 40 generous
aud religious should have been cognzant OF plots TO
capture or assassjnate the President Of the United
States is hardly to be believed. let II is strangely
true Her own actions and words, for weeks prior 20
she assassination aud even on the 4th ol April ITSELF
leave very little doubt in my mind but that she was
guilty. But. guilty TO what extent do not know.
She NAV possibly have been cognlzant only OF the
capture and of the parties concerned in IT. Yet even
shdt deserved death 1t was reasonable and criminal
TO Law hands the person of the President In aid OF the
enemy and as such it ought to be punshed.
Mrs. Surratt il to be much blamed She should have
exer csed a womans influence aud mothers love- and
then she conld have prevented all But no. she was too
infatuated She loved the South too much. None can
regret her untmely end more than yet hone can de
test her crimes more than do.
to blind me- and which had certain air OF mystery
about them now come back in the dread reality with
peculiar and awful sgni ance. Before the 4th Of
March Mrs. Surratt was continually remarking 10
everybod that somshiaS was going TO happen 10 "Od
Abe" which would prevent him IRON taking bis seat.
because Gen. Lee was going ITO make movement
which would starte the whole world" This appeared
In the papers and no notice taken OF it, The 4th
OF March came and went. President Lincoln in
augurated but Gen. Lee did not execute his move
ment." What that movement was do not know. A
ahnrf limo att aakD "a hran
men Harold and AtzerOit into the house. ooh !
John wishes ~ make use OF them for his dirty pork :"
was her reply. then asked her what the dirty work
wasi She said John wants them 10 clean his horses
he had two that time. When Richmond fell and Lees
army surrendered. when Washington in blaze Of
glory and all hearts beat high with JOY, Mrs Surrat
wept and closed her house. When the illumination
took place her house remained dark and silent without
single ray OF light at toe windows to denote glad
ness Gloomy and forlorn it then was. To use her
own expression, it was Indicative of her feelings "
But oh gloom and horror now invests ii blacker
than the Fnries themselves.
On Good Friday drove her into the country igno.
rant OF her purpose and intentions Holiday had been
granted TO all the clerks in ,he department by the
Secretary of War. We started at =. O'clock Beft re
leaving she had an interview with John Wilkes Booth
In the psrlor and doubt she then received from him
the field. glass which she gave 10 Lloyd.
On the way down she was very lively and cheerful
taking the rens into her own hands several times and
urging on the steed. We halted once and that was
when about three miles from Washington. when, oh.
serving that there pckets along the road, she
called old farmer and wanted to know if they would
remain there all night On being I that they were
Withdrawn at about o'clock in the evening. she said
she was glad TO know IT,
On our return CHANGED 10 make some remark about
Booth. stating that he appeared TO be without employ
nent and asking her when he going 10 &C; again
'Booth il done acting she said, land he is going 10
New York very soon, herr TO return
Then turning round she REM ked, Eyes. and Booth
IL crazy on one subject, and am going TO give h.n
good scoding the next time BEE him. What that
Zone subject was Mrs Surratt said. The PEG.
pie can Judge for themselves.
She was very anxious TO he at home at nine o'clock
saying she had made engagement with ne gentle
man. who was 10 her at that hour. asked her II
II was Booth. She answered neither yes nor no.
When about mile from the city. or our return. and
bs wing from the toy Of hilf caught view Of Washing