Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-05-04

of raising fund for this object Cir
culars were sent TO trustworthy citizens
in every other city and town in the
Confederacy, inviting cooperation in
| the grand undertaking, and an immense
sum of money was subscribed The
| firm of Merry Il Co., bankers in Rich
mond, subscribed $4,000, and Sumner
| & Arents, auctioneers, subscribed So 600
and | have heard on good authority that
there We're several in the capital who
subscribed even more literally than the
persons named, but who they were did
not learn. One man of Charleston, s.
c., whose name | have forgotten, sub
scribed $50 600. 1t was proposed when
all was ready, to obtain furlough for
MOSby, and make him leader of the en-
terprise.
Whether these schemes have been
abandoned, or whether the kidnappers
are only awaiting favorable Opportu-
nifty to execute them, remains TO be
seen; but certain it is that too much
caution Cauuot be observed by the Pres
ident, or the military commanders sta
toned at the capital"
As these statements We're questioned
by sundry rebel journals at the North,
the writer subsequently forwarded the
following documentary evidence, being
a letter from Calhoun Cullom, Captain
in Il North Carolina regiment, and well
known in the Contederacy. The origi-
nal letter was sent, cnvelOped post
marked, stamped with Confederate ten
cent postage stamp, and addressed to
Mr. Wexford, clerk in the war Office at
Richmond. Although it wUs published
in the Tribune so long ago as April %,
1864, its genuineness has never even
been denied nor its statements contra
diCted:
"MORGANTowN, Sept. 80, 1868.
Ny Dear Uflford: | have for several
weeks been looking for a letter from you
on the shbject of our last conversation.
On yesterday, Mr.. Gather, VI. c. of the
Nth District, came to see father and
dined with him. He spent the week be-
fore last at Richmond and had num-
Der Of conversations with the President,
Secretary of War and other officials. |
enquired Of him if he had heard any
thing OF the ruSe de gu0ye to capture old
Honest Abe, and he said he had, but
That the affair would probably be man
aged rather by individual enterprise
than by the government He gave me
the names of the most prominent work
ers in the project in Richmond, and as
you must be acquainted with them all
l beg you to put in a timely word for
me. If the affair was to be managed bv
the Government, | know your influence
and that of my other friends with Mr.
Seldom would get me assigned to the
part desire to play in the grand come
uy or tragedy, as the case may be; but
II II Is to be managed by the citizens of
Richmond, my chances are not so good
and may have to depend entirely on
you Speak a good word for me at
once, and will see you next week. As
L told you, l would willingly sell NV
soul to the devil for the honor of play
ing a conspicuous part in the destruc-
ton OF the great hydra.
My arm Is nearly well, and I find it |
quite useful again, as you will conclude |
from my being able to dispense with an
amanuensis.
Don't neglect me.
Your sincere friend,
CULLoM."
Here then was a kidnapping plot
which was approved by jeff. Davis and
his chief cabinet officers more than a
year ago, aud it is precisely the same
scheme as that first contemplated bv
Booth, as is shown by his letter recently
published. If then, the Tribune well
asks, one part of the plot Of which
Booth was the agent, was managed at
Richmond by Davis, Seldom and Benia-
min, is it, or is it not, likely they knew
OF the other part, and of the more hor-
rible shape which it finally took
And now we would ask the Tribune,
If Booth the instrument Of their helish
richly deserved hunting
down and shooting, or hanging if caught
alive, what ought to be the punishment
Of the chief plotters not only of this
horrible crime, but Of the gigantic mi
guilty Of which this was but one of the
incidental atrocities
The PRoGREss or THE FUNERAL Con
rEoE.-The remains Of President Lincoln
arrived in Albany about eleven O'Clock