Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-06-21
From the clseinnati Commercial I
TaE Assassf>A1aos.
Assas>tnation Plot seport OF a Con
yersation Between Itff Davis and

A Gem IN unicatisn Relating 10 the
Assas>tnation Plot seport OF a Con
versation Between I.ff Davis and
wilkes fosth.
FORT WAYSE. ISDTASA. June IL, 1865
This letter sas received BY Us through the
mail We know nothing of the writer, and give
bis COMMUNICATION for what IL may be sorih IL
is az least curious. IL NAV De important. and GER
tanly calls for Investigation Fps Con-
am Of Northern birth and parentsge. but
having emigrated TO the South when but sixteen
years Of age. l became completely identified With
Southern interests aud feelings. and could talk
almost az giibly Of Southern rights. and the i'm
munities Of slavery. as President Davis himself
For seven years previous 10 the late civil war.
~as deputy clerk of the County Court at Macon
Ia consequence Of this. had considerable asso-
citation with the lower grade Of Southern polti-
clans. aud, at times, with those who held high
posts OF honor under the State and Federal Gov
ernments. but more particularly with those-who
do the heavy work and loud talking
In fact. during the session OF the Court.
of which there were three annually, the
office holders throughout the country, from the
Judge Of the Court, and all the principal law
yers down 20 the country justices aud cousta-
bles, spent the whole Of the time 10 the city, the
latter attending. with the greatest possible int
rest, the trials at Court, of which there were al
ways suffcieucy TO excite interest, OF cri mi
nal character. acting as jurymen. sc. Many of
these being the wealthy and intelligent men OF
the country. and their labor not being necessary
on their we'll stocked plantations. could well
afford to kill time in this way, as il was, in a
measure, a release from the tedium and monot-
ony of the plantations. and as money was plenty
with them, the days we're very agreeably whied
away in chewing tobacco, drinking whisky
gambling and dueling These occasions were
particularly noted for the discussion of political
questions and especially with reference to slavery
and secession. The preservation aud extension
Of slavery was the great desideratum, and was
10 be secured by S)uthern s;atesmanship AT
whatever cost, and Ia the event OF failure, disso-
luton Of the Union and war itself To hear
these men talk OF war and bloodshei. if the
Northern people should attempt ANY opposition
to any Of their schemes, particularly secession,
Of which they talked as a right secured to the
States by the Constitution itself, was locke ed
upon as the mere bubble and noise OF American
excitement, aud was not even dreamed of by
sober and reflective men. rs il has been in the
past four years so dreadfuly realized
But to the point Soon after the war coH-
meuced - about seven months - through the
friendship and influence of Hon. Howell Cobb
and Vice President Stephens, was appointed
clerk in the War Department at Richmond, at
which post | served, except when called into the
trenches, which occurred but twice, until the
Confederate Government, with Lees army, with
drew from Richmond, when | proceeded. with
eight trunks filled with papers beonng to the
War Department. about fifteen miles from Rich
mond, when the locomotive attached TO our train
broke down, and, the air being filled with ru
mors of \ ankee cavalry in the neighborhood,
took the opportunity of quitting the train, and
returned 20 Richmond on foot, where | arrived
just as the Federals were entering the city
From thence | made my way north. through the
assistance and courtesy OF Gen. Weiizel, and
ave finally settled down here. after taking
Uncle Sans big oath, from whence. in lev
weeks. shall return to the sunny South, with
the fervent wish and prayer To God that, hence
forth, may live IN PEACEFUL country Tor the
thing | most desire, next TO Southern indepen
dence. Is peace.
But am sill DEPRESSING. Ny duties in the
War Department were light. they consisting prin
cipslly in endorsing, in red ok. and filling in mp
prOprlale place, all papers belonging 10 The Con
Tolerate secret service Aud | must here state
that no documents were ever re, eived, from par.
ties in the North, with reference TO the assassin
alton OF Mr. Lincoln. Many were, however. re
ceived from parties in the South, Offering to cap.
ture or assissinate Nr Lincoln, tor certain sum.
Of money. Such propositions, however, never
received the least attention. but we're universally
passed over, without official notice, aud none OF
them we're ever replied to Aud, from CONVEX.
sation at which | was present, which occurred in
the latter part of February last, in the War De-
partmeEt, between President Davis, Secretary
Benz amin, and Mr.. Breckenridge. on the one part
and two strangers together with man named
and introduced as Booth. on the other part, am
satisfied that neither Davis nor Brecklnridge
we're in favor of the least personal injury being
done 10 Mr. Lincoln. but, on the contrary, siren
uously opposed any movement in that direction
The geutlemnn above referred TO "a being
called Booth, was brought into the War Office ia
company with the other two slrangers by
President Davis aud Secretary Benjimin Mr.
Booth was introduced 10 Mr.. Breckenridge by
Secretary Benjamin The other two men were
not introduced. and took seats at the further end
OF the room, without taking part in the CONVEX
sation that ensued, except that when they retired
they sid. "God bye, gentlemen" TO those re
manning
Booth commenced BY saving that a plan was
formed. BY parties in the Northern States and
Canada, friends Of the C0nfederacy, 10 capture
or assassnste Mr. Lincoln: that ne had a full
list of the names, aud all they desired was an
Official recognition on the part of the Coniede
rate authorities. and that then the project would
they desired 10 pecuniary assistance from the
Government, that already secured
that they were not after gain, but were actuated
only BY a desire to render the COnfederacy
a service, by removing the tyrant who was
the cause OF so much suffering TO the coun.
try and the only obstacle in the way of a
speedy peace. These are the words, near
as can now remember Messrs Davis
and Breckenridge both EXPRESSED their hearty
condemnation OF the plot, aud advised Booth to
think 40 more Of it That they felt that their
cause was just. and that God, in His own good
time. would give them the victory, without re-
sorting to anything but the most honorable war.
fare, and that they were willing TO leave Lin
coins punishment, for his great crime, to the
providence OF Just God aud an outraged PEG
pie. Benz amin sad>nothing. Booth then re-
tired, and the last words he uttered in the room
we're. " he must diel +" After Booth and his
friends were gone. Davis said. Those fellows
came here merely to see the Richmond sights
and their assassination plot is a mere fudge y
breckenridge and Beoj amin laughed. and the lat
ter said, " think SO" The matter received no
more attention, and all agreed with Mr Davis.
that the plot was mere :" fudge sm salts
ned that none OF them ever expected what has
since become so dread reality In conclusion,
let me say that | am willing to be qualified TO
she above statement OF facts
Truly. yours, JoBS Van DIEN
STATE ITEMS.