The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-02
THE ASSASSINATION TRIALS

WASHINGTON, May 20.-Nearly all the evi.
dence taken to-day related merely to the con-
nection of the rebel authorities In Richmond
with those in Canada. A cipher found in the
trunk OF Booth. was compared with one OBJ
tanned in Richmond by Assistant Secretary of
War Dana, and proved to be the regular cipher
of the rebel government. A translation was
made showing that the secret writing which
Nothing was developed from it alluding to the
conspiracy, though it demonstrated beyond all
doubt that Booth corresponded with the rebel
authorities. WV
The teller of the Ontario Bank of Montreal
was called, and testified that Jacob Thompson
Kept large deposits of money there, but lately
had drawn them out. The bank accounts were
presented in court. He also testified to Booth
purchasing exchange at that bank and stated
that he wanted 1t to run the blockade with.
Col Stewart of this city, testified to seeing
Booth jump from the stage box, run across the
stage, mount horse in the alley in the rear OF
the stage and ride away. The court then went
into secret session. We give below the testi-
mony relating to the cipher and that of the
Montreal bank teller:
MAJOR ECKERT's TESTIMONY.
Major Eckert was sworn. A CIPHER was
exhibited to him, found in the trunk of ].
Wilkes Booth. He compared it with Benia.
of the rebel cyphers of other parties had fallen
into his hands, and these were on the same
principle. although the key word may be diff.
terent. The witness furnished translation of
cypher dated October 49, 1t is to this effect:
1--WE again urge our gaining immediate ad-
vantages. Strain every nerve for victory. We
now look upon the reelection of Lincoln as
almost certain, and we need to whip the hire
lings to prevent it. Besides, with Lincoln re-
elected and his armies victorious we need not
hope ever for recognition, much less the helm
mentioned in our last Holcombe will explain
this. Our friend shall be Immediately set to
work as you direct" =
The correspondence was carried on between
Richmond and Canada. Several rebel cvpber
dispatches, which had fallen into the hands
of the War Department., had been referred to
him (EckerD for examination, some of which
were the same as this and worked on the
same principle. The rebel dispatches of the
18th and 10Th of October last were in his nos
session, and worked on the same principle.
although the key word was different, The
following translation was then read: ssOct 10
1S64-YOur letter of the 18th is ut hand. There
is yet time enough to colonize many voters he.
fore November. A blow will shortly be stricken
here. 1t is not quite time. Gen. Longstreet
is to attack Sheridan without delay, and then
move North as far as practicable towards i'm
portant points. This will be made instead
of the movement before mentioned. He will
endeavOr to assist Republicans in collecting
their ballots. Be watchful and assist him"
The original was sent to its address. The
cypher of the 18th October came from Canada
and went to Richmond that of the 10th came
from Richmond and went to Canada.
R. A. CAMPBELL's TESTIMONY.
r. A. Campbell teller in the Ontario Bank.
Montreal, identified the bank account of Jacob
thompson. 1t commenced - 80, 1864.
Prior to that he had left sterling exchange
drawn on rebel agents at Liverpool or London
for collection. As soon as the agents were sat-
istied of the bills being paid, the proceeds were
placed to his credit. The first advices we had
were May 3Oth, and e200 sterling being the
amount. The account was closed April 18th.
1865, and the aggregate amount of credit was
$649, 1913. There is now balance due him of
81 $50. He has drawn $500, 900 nearly since
March list. He bought at one time S1OO 900
in sterling exchange. The first entry was
April list, and was on the fourth check of
800. There is a deposit receipt under date
april 9th, of $1S0,O0O which was to be paid
when presented. He purchased April 9Th,
f44O sterling exchange; also ga, 900 sterling on
chased hundred thousand sterling exchange.
Know MIR. Thompson personally; he has left
Montreal. He has not been in the bank lately.
One OF his transactions was a check given to
the hotel keeper. He said he was going over.
land to Halifax, en- route to Europe. This was
about two weeks before the navigation
opened.
thought it strange that he should 90 over
land, when by waiting two weeks he could 90
by steamer. He was recognized Us an agent of
the Confederate States. His account was sim.
ply with Jacob Thompson. He lived part of
the time in Upper Canada and Montreal. He
had other money transactions with other banks.
n,,a o1ts,~, 80 ~ kI Al
ara District Bank of st. Catharines, drawn to
the order of Z. c. Clay. That bank sent it to
us, and we placed it to their credit August 16,
1864 Knew Booth. Had one or two transac
tions with him. May have seen him in Canada
dozen times. He has still to his credit in
our bank over $4OO. This credit arose from
deposit, a memorandum of which was a check
drawn on Merchants Bank by Davis for $3.50 !;
Davis was broker in Montreal. Booth pur-
chased a bill of exchange for Eel; said he was
going to run the blockade; he asked whether,
in case of his capture, the captors could use
his exchange. l said no, not unless he en-
dorsed the bill. He then said he would take
$500 worth, which he paid in American gold.
These are the only transactions he had with U.S.
Witness identified the bills taken from Booth
Couldn't tell whether the drafts were intended
for use In State or general disbursement. Wit
ness stated that Thompson had purchased u.
8. currency and greenbatks as we'll as sterling
On the Z0tn OF August thompson bought
$100, 900 in greenbacks, and July 14th S19, 900.
That was the amount In gold. On the 14th of
March last he bought $1,000 at 442, for which
he paid 1858 in gold. He bought seven drafts on
New York. "...-
WASHINGTON. May 2s-The Court met at
| 1880 this morning.
| Mr.. Aiken said that as the government
| found 1t inconvenisnt to close its testimony at
this time to chow that a conspiracy did exist,
but not with especial reference to the prison.
| ers at the bar, he tomorrow would be ready to
| go on with the defense, as he was not disposed
| to waste the valuable time of the Court
The Judge Advocate remarked that four or
| five witnesses were yet to be examined with
reference to the accused. Some of them were
in Baltimore and some In this city, but the lat
| ter had not been able to cross the line of the
| military review to reach this place.
The testimony taken yesterday was read.
Mr.. Ewing made request, which was granted,
| to have his formal statement amended, so ii
| might appear that he had asked that all the
testimony against the accused be introduced
before the commencement of the examination
| of witnesses for the defense.
The counsel for the defense, however hay-
| ing no objections that testimony as to gene.