The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-26

himself or some of the party must go to Rich
mOnd to obtain means to carry out their de.
signs.
O. Did he have any conversation with you
at later period, after the Inauguration, as to
the opportunity which he had for the assassin
alton of the President? Did he speak of that
A. Yes, sir. On Friday, one week previous to
the assassination, he was in New York.
Q. What did he say then 2 A. We were in
the House OF Lords at the time. sitting at ia.
BILE, and had not been there long before he ex.
claimed, striking the table, "What an excel
wished, on Inauguration day." that was all he
said relative to that.
@. Did he explain what the chance was A.
No; he said he was as near the President on
that day as he was to me; that is all he said.
Cross examined: Q. Do understand you to
say that he spoke to you of a plan to assassin
ate the President and to capture him9 A. To
@. Did he say anything to you as to how he
would get him off? A. No.
Q. As to where he would take him? A. To
Richmond
Q. By what route? A. He did not say.
Q. he spoke of there being persons on ''the
other side" A. Yes, sir.
Y. Did he use just simply that expression,
or did he explain what he meant by the ''other
side" What did you understand him to mean?
A. He did not explain it at all, but supposed
it was in the South.
Q. Across the lines A. Yes, sir.
Q. Across the river? A. Across the Poto-
mac.
The Court here adjourned to Saturday.
other Testimony.
On Friday last Rev. Mr.. RIDER, of Chicago,
was called to the stand and produced the fol-
lowing, which he picked up in the streets of
Richmond:
RICHMOND Feb. II, 1875.
His Ersellensy. Je6srson Davs, President C. S. H.:
When Senator johnson and myself waited upon
you some da since in relation to the project of an
noying and embarrassing the enemy by means of
burning their shipping towns, &c, there were sew.
was not fully prepared to answer, but which upon
subsequent conference with parties propos ng the
enterprise find cannot apply object ons to The
scheme. First, the eombnstibe material consists
of several Preparations, and not alone and can
be used without expOSing the party III e Them to
any danger of detection whatever. The prepara.
tions are not in the hands of Mr.. Dsniel but are
in the hands of Professor McCullon and are known
but to him and one other party.
As understand 1t there is no necessity for eend-
ing persons 10 the military service into the enemys
country, but the work may be done by agents and
in most cases by persons ignorant of the fac g. and
therefore innocent agents. have seen enough of
the effects that be produced to eatisfy me that in
mos cases, without any danger to tFe persons en-
IL,
burn every vessel that leaves foreign port for the
United States eecond, we can burn ry transport
that loads in the harbor of New York, or other
northern ports with supplies for the armies of the
enemy of the south; thiId, burn every transport
and gunboat the Mississippi river, as we'll as de-
vasta,e the country and fill the people with terror
and CONSERVATION.
am not alone in the opinion bu. many other
gentlemen are as fully impressed with the conyic-
ton as l am. believe we have means at our com
mand if properly appropriated and energetically ap
piled, to conquer the nOrthern people in very short
time. or the purpose of satisfying your mind on
the subject respectfully but earnestly request that
you will have an interview with Gen. Harris for.
merly member of Congress from Missouri, who,
Think is able by conclusive proofs to convince you
that what have suggested is practicable. l hope
for the success of our cause in th hs struggle with
The conviction of the importance of avail ing our
selves of everp plan of defense This must be my
excuse for wi ing you requesting you to invite Gen.
Harris to see you, if you should see fit to do co,
when it will be convenient for you to see him.
lam respy your obdt servant,
w s. OLDHAM