The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-26

MONTREAL, Canada East. August 90 1896
Hon VIM H SEWARD, Secretary OF STATE United States,
Awaiting myself OF the kindness Of mutual friend,
Mr. Bregid-who promises TO enclose it'll send you q
second communication with reference TO the procama-
ton OF President Johnson bearing the % OF May
ias IN which reward OF SIS 600 Is offered for APP
Penehson within the limits OF the United States - one
OF those alleged TO have been concerned in the assss
nation OF Abraham lincoln and the attempts upon the
lives OF yourself and son. Colonel Seward day or two
ater the promugation OF this proclamation this side
the Atlantic New York Journal believed be in the
confidence OF the government at Washington, stated
that photographs Of myself and the other gentlemen
charged had been sent with the proclamation TO Europe,
10 be placed in the hands Of the foreign police and other
wise publicly exhibited, that there should be por-
ton OF the habtabe globe where any OF could rest
our loot without being known branded criminals
Now have previously asserted publicly and privately
Of the charge as an nfan. 20 be- born ii the next
generation NEVER until the assassination had heard
the name Of j. Wilkes Booth, any OF his alleged
complices pronounced, or either any Of them
written or in print, had been present at,
heard OF any discussion Of that or any other kindred
On the 10th Of May, 1885, wrote you letter, which
subsequently, printed In the appendix to pamphlets pub
ished by myself on this subject and which now beg
leave TO enclose, In tho hope that Ireceived
spouse never was brought under your eye respect
fully invite your perusa OF also send you here
Of the issuance Of the proclamation of President Johnso
ny letter 70 the editor Of the New York Tbs after
the death o. M ncols but previous 70 the proclama
sequence Of your ness this TOO has escaped your At
tentiOn, now enclose IL
II Is true these contan only my reitsratiOns Of
innocence and ignorance, and hence beg leave to
60 back TO antecedent circumstances which must 70
20 h your mna S east carry conyicsion Ny ernd
known certainly 70 Mr.. Lincoln and believe to your
sef beg TO call your attention to the proposition made
TO yourself in January last that should Washing
ton incog. to communicate certain views and nforIna-
ton which might possibly tend bring about
without further eusion Of blood and with honor and
advantage to both You will recolect that this propos
ton was made informally though in writing through
Mr. T.. that you deemed It Of sufficient consequence
to request Mr. T. 10 allow 1t to be shown to Mr. Lincoln
that you did SO show it. and instructed him r IT, to
come to Montreal, say that might submit my
views through him. or BY sealed letter direct to your
SELF This he did, but tor prudential reasons de-
clined to do either. Mr.. then returned to Washing
ton, and after one more interviews with y0u
reported to by letter. that you had requested your
confidential friend, Hon. Thurlow Weed, to proceed
municate with him as freely as with yourself This ar.
rangement was, however, interrupted by las supposed
the Hampton Road Conference" and Mr. Weed did not
arrive Subsequently, when Richmond had fallen, and
SAW the call Of General Wetzel for the assembling Of
the members OF the Virginia Legislature other cti-
in Richmond, tcegraphed you tho night of the
18th of April for permission 10 return TO that CITY under
the stpuations OF that order The next day, Good Fri
day received no reply and on that night the dreadful
deeds were enacted.
Now submit, sir when you take all these facts es-
pecialy the last named into consideration, and tho
further one, that President Lincoln fully advised
Of the nature Of the business that brought here and
that he granted several parties In the North permits,
under and in accordance with the trade regulations Of
the Treasury Department. to make exchange with Of
provisions and merchandise for cotton you certainly
cannot believe that had either knowledge OF, or COM
picity with, that awful tragedy
Every motive Of self interest and patrotism-patrot
ism from my standpoint-if my own moral sense had
not would have restrained me. With President Lincoln
favoraby disposed TO the execution Of mission and
yourself DESTROYS OF honorable peace should have
been mad, we'll wicked, to have lent myself 70
Again as soon as he proclamation OF the I'd Of Nav
was published offered myself for trial, not,
thought in as temperate and judcious terms might
have DONE though IN spirit as think pallated II not
wholly justified by tho nature of the crime with which
was SO unjustly charged To this received no reply
On the 10th Of May seeing that you we're convaescng
from the terrible wounds inflicted upon YOU 1 wrote
you respectfully requesting you TO the influence in
cident to your position, to procure fair trial for me,
favor, begged that another might be submitted This
Is the communication referred 10 when expressed the
ieve that its respectful tone and temper would not have
elected response, even though II were only bare
acknowledgment Of It's receipt.
which you the head. II proclams mo guilty, and
offers twenty five thousand dollars for apprehension.
My offers be tried treated with silence by YOU and
contumely by others The Military Bureau OF Justice
that novel style Of machinery for the trial Of citizens
In the nineteenth centurys convened by the order
repeat had never much O. heard pronounced, or
seen written in print Only three witnesses testify to
ton zach and all Of ihess-Ccnover Merritt and Mont.
gomeryhaye been publicly proved by respectable cti
zens and officials here and In the United States, to be
wholly unworthy Of credit; but, granting that every
word to which they have respecting myself were
true instead Of being barefaced and wholesale perures
there nothing In the eye OF the law proved against
Indeed, IL Is within my positive knowledge that .
member Of the court whose duty II to colate and
arrange the testimony, said 10 friend Of mine that
there evidence tending in the least degree
pcato me. The "Burcau Of Military JUSTICE renders
It's finding In which far has been vouchsafed TO
the public there Is no mention even OF myself; IL dis
solves and dies yet the proclamation Is not superseded
or recanted Against this cruel course towards my
family and myself earnestly protest am accused Of
dreadful crime. offer myself for trial, denied.
arm indicted, and nothing IL pretended to have been
proved still remain advertised 70 the world q crimi
nal with price my head Waving all claim 70 mag.
jurst and to your sensbiltcs a man, IT, with such
record Of innocencc-not nferental merely but POSI-
tive-within your knowledge Ia just in law right
in equity, sound In policy thus to pursue who II
already content 70 accep for the humble but earnest
part he took In tho late war forced exile from his
tive STATE and oil the material nconveniences and pain
full heart trials incident therefor Can II subserve any
interest OF powerful government TO follow 10 what
foreign land may for home md humble liveli-
hood for myself and the dear who wholly de-
branding accomplce In foul crime but 10 cir
cumscribe me OF my personal liberty and hourly
danger my life by outstanding reward Of twentyh
thousand dollars for my abductionf cannot believe
renee or sanction rely with confidence that your
unlimited power over all public questions conndcd 70
your department you will see the justice equity and hui
manity OF relieving from the injurious and
effects OF thd6ontinued existence OF the Presidents
f'''''''''' : - : q. BEVERLEY TUCKER.
Was Washington . Lfeatenant Gsnsrals
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD.
Allow ma To correct an historical error which cor.