The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-19
THE CASE OF MRS. suRRArT.

THE CASE OF MRS. SukKATI.
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Statement OF Mr.. Weichmsnn-Ths
From the Philadelphia Sunday Dlspatchl
Tho following card from Louis J. weichmann VINO
explains il has
brought forth in consequence OF the attacks upon MI
we.chmanns character made since the execution 10
of the President There are some matters 10 tnis
statement in relation 10 Mrs surrats conduct wncn
arc important c0rr0borations OF the evidence pup
cly given against her and which show that her punish
ment was just ,o.-
To EnroRs or SUNDAY DpPArcH:-
win you favor me by publishing the foliowinr state
Mrs Surratt is dead, and what now have TO say
do her no harm There was time when none had
my power. Testified to her character noby. plead
for her day after day with those in authority that they
might spare her life because she woman, and be-
she had been kind to me once. II was In vain
The government knows best and must make dread
and just example 70 terrfy all enemies TO free govern
ment
Yet after all this, an attempt has been made by one
Brophy, in Washington, TO blacken my character TO
silence him and many other sympathizers with guilt
deem necessary present the following TO the public
Let them judge and decide fairly.
am sirs, very respectfully your obedient servant,
LOUIS J. WEICHMANN
MR.. wEICHMANN's STATEMENT.
The afdavit OF John Brophy, of Washington TO tho
public instead OF being TO matter Of surprise and
has been almost OF daily expectation To prove
its utter worhlessness II is merely necessary to state
the members OF court and to President Johnson him
self before the execution OF Mrs Suratt and that it had
no eect wbatever Col Burnett himself handed me the
charges almost days before the trial closed They
had been sent to him by some one who afraid to ax
his signature thereto laughed at them then since they
were ridiculous; and pronounce the statement,
extensively copied in various papers, tissue Of lies
from beginning to end II puzzles me much to know
why these monstrous charges were not brought out
the witness the learned counsel Aiken and his
worthy associate, Clampitt who are in close communion
with Brophy The case haa not oeen coseu wncn -
answer all such charges.
Brophy himself was summoned twice, once for the
for the prosecution but according TO
his own wishes be never appeared the stand had
him and dozen reliable gentlemany witnesses called
to character, against which he dares not say
word
It was only after very fearful protestation on his
part that CHS poor old mother would cry herself to
death il she saw his name in the papers connection
with this trial." that sent note into the court room to
Colonel Burnett to release him, and he at once acceded
to his wishes
Brophy's spoor old mother" had, consequently, no
reason to shed tears.
to him. and dom believe that Mrs Surrat an innocent
woman Tho expression about Judge Holt Infamous
that no person throughout the whole his good
character fully vouched for have. II Is beyond
reProach either as regards Loyalty yeacy or moTa.y
alien has been naturazed and has not taken the
oath of allegiance to the which he attempts
to assan in the person Of its chief witness.
very prevalent rumor, too has gained ground that
placed irons and atreated and threatened BY the
Secretary Of War. This is another The War De-
partment had all the information which possessed
the morning Of the 10th Of April It was given freely
and without compulson The government, too furnished
with money and transportation 10 go to Canada in
pursuit Of John H. Surratt.
Throughout the trial the treatment which experienced
the hands OF the Secretary OF War; Judges Holt Bur-
nett aud Bingham and the members Of tho court, was
very marked indeed, and courteous.
As regards my testimony | have nothing to regret
Of my integrity and of my desire TO do right to
all stand oday in the pure light OF heaven without
sin soul to answer for as regards the trial OF
the conspiratofs
Far from considering disgrace to have been gov
eminent witness. only esteem 1t an honor that
have been Of much assistance in ferreng oat the dia
bOcai schemes OF traitors and conspirators. | am
panied only because OF one thngviz that have been
deceived so much in Mrs Surratt and her SON.
Much has been said and much has been written about
Mrs Surras Sensation paragraphs are being
scattered throughout the country, ridicung own
the female sex, and recalling US TO the days of knight
errantry, when woman was respected I'm court AND
States government itself Is assaied and charged with
having murdered an innocent woman
That woman kind 20 compassionate, 80 generous
and religious should have been cognzant Of plots TO
capture assanate the President Of the United states
own actions and words for weeks prior to the assassna
ton, and the 14h OF April itself leave very
little doubt In my mind but that she was guilty But
guilty To what extent do not know
She may possibly have been cognizant only OF the
capture and Of the parties concerned in T. Yet even
to lay hands the person Of the President in aid Of the
enemy, and as such IL ought to be punished
Mrs.. Surrutt Is to DO much blamed She should have
exercised woman's influence and mothers love, and
then she could have prevented all But no. she was too
can her uutmsIy end more than 4 vet none can
detest her crimes more than do.
Particles of conversation which were once intended
to blind me- and which had certain air Of mystery
about them back in their dread reality with
peculiar and awful significance Before the 4th OF
body that something was going happen .Old Abe
which would prevent him from taking his seat, because
Sos a ass ;hs This IN the
papers and no notice taken Of IT, The 4th Of March
came and went President Lincoln was inaigurated but
General Lee did not execute his movement" What
that movement" was do not know. short time
after asked her why John brought such men as Harold
and Azerott into the house Oh, John wishes TO make
use OF them for his dirty work. was her reply then
asked her what the dirty work. VAST Sho said, John
wants them TO clean hts horses" He had two at that
time When Richmond fell and Lees army surrendered
when Warrington was in blaze Of glory, and s hearts
beat high With joy, Mrs surra weps ana closed her
NAMED dark and SILENT without one single ray Of light
ut the windows denote gladness Gloomy and forlorn
tive Of her feelings" But OH gloom and horror
| invests II bIacker than the Furies themselves
IN her S0T purposs and Intentions Holiday had been
granted to a clerks In the department by the Secre
tary Of War We started a, Two Before iesv.
parlor and doubt she then received from him the
| deld glass which she rave to Lloyd.
On the way down she was very lively and cheerful
taking the reins into her hands several limos and
urqing on the stecd. We halted once, and that
when about three miles from Washington when observ.
na that there we're pickess along the road she called
old farmer and wanted TO know they would remain there
ali night On being told that they were withdrawn at
about eight o'clock In the evening" she said she was glad
10 know t.
On our return CHANGED TO make remark about
Booth stating that he appeared 10 DO without employ
1nent and asking her when he going act again.
ssBooh Is done acting, she said, land he going TO
New York very soon, never to return"
Then turning round she remarked eyes and Booth 10
crazy ON subject and am going 10 give him good
scoldng the next time ! SEQ him." What that lone
subject Mrs. Surratt never said. The people can
| judR for themselves.
She very anxious 70 b 1t home 81 nine O'Clock,
saying she had made engagement wish some gentle.
man. who 10 meet her at that hour asked her u 10
was Booth. She answered nsithsr yes nor no.
when about milo from the city, ON our return, ana
ton swimming In 1ood q light end. glory, raising her
hands abe said: IL Afraid all this rejoicing will be
turned into mournng-all this glory into sadness"
asked her what she meant She replied that after sun
than alEaxa aud that The pQope wore