The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-18

evidence had been adduced. What such
''evidence" is. I am totally at loss to
conjecture. am compelled, therefore, to
content myself .wiAh the declaration that
whosoeverdsAth sworn TO anything autho-
rizine. In the slightest degree. suspicion of
my having "incited. concerted or pro-
cured" or of any knowledge whatever by
me of the attacks made on the President
and MIR. Seward; or my acts pr projects
of a kindred character, onof any plan TO
k!dnap or capture either of them, or any
/ Of the Federal authorities. hath blackened
his soul will. diabolical perjury.
Until information reached here of the
attack on President Lincoln by Mr.. J.
Wilkes Booth. and that on Mr.. Seward by
some other person, did not know that
any such person as j. Wilkes Booth exist
ed had never heard of him. before. 7
do not know any of the persons in arrest
at Washington, and never heard of them
till read the notices in the United States
newspapers Of their apprehension. have
within day or two made inquiry and
ascertained that Mr.. Booth left St. Law.
renee Hall. Montreal. on the ,27th of Oc-
hober last. The officers of the Ontario
Bank state that on that day he purchased
OF the bank bill, on England for e6l
l2s. Id, for which he paid in American
goid. and at the same time made deposit
ct 1885 Canada money, which yet remains
to his credit; and that he stated he in
tended to run the blockade. Whether he
made such attempt or went into the United
States by railroad, have not ascertaincd.
The clerks in the St. Lawrence Hall in
form me that he arrived at the house on
the 18th Of October, being here nine DAYS.
l was not in Montreal during that time.
My association with the other gentlemen
named In this atrocious proclamation has
been intimate for years, ahd I admit il
would De strange if they had any know
ledge Of Mr.. Bcoths purpose that ishould
be in utter ignorance of it.
The whole business is, in nv deliberate
Judgment. an attempt to get up a pretext
for difficulty with the British provinces
and the consideration tn at since have
been here I have received nothing but
hospitality and kindness from YOU, impes
me to make tins brief address o aid in the
dissipation Of such pretext have to-day
appealed to PRESIDENT johnson and Secre-
ta.,ry stanton to allow me coNes of the
alleged "evidenceh with respect to myself,
to give me chance 70 'lisrrove it.
will add that will go be fore any ma
gIstrate here and verify the above ty nv
solemn oath, and that I will agree that
the United StAes' Consul. or anv respect
able counsel that he may designate, shall
cross examln. Iaes in r:..i.-sn, Il, AAs4eL legged
"ev!denca or anv other aud all acts of
my life. BEVERLEY TUCKER.
. To tile. Editor Of the Toronto L-uder-
SIR: The reward Of $4,000 offered for nv
capture. by President johnson, impera-
lively demands that should take the first
opportunity and the most public means of
referring to the proclamation which brands
me before the world as partieipator
in the murder Of the late President of the
United States. The other gentlemen whose
names are associated with mine leave to
speak for themselves.
In this proclamation am referred to as
the clerk of Mr.. C. c. Clay. deny most
emphatlcally thas ever occupied such
position.
AS to the assass;nation of Mr.. Lincoln,
declare before high Heaven and the
whole world, that knew nothing of it
until it had been committed and announced
in the newspapers. There is not parti.
Gle OF truth in the statement that, econ
cocted and melted" the assassinaticn. The
announcement of the great crime came
upon me, as it no doubt did upon thou
sands of Others who read it in The papers
on the day succeeding Good Friday, like a
ciap Of thunder; an1 1 shared with all
my heart, IN the general regret that 80
foul deed had been comm itted, and that.
too. alta time when the war. as [ eonsi-
dered, had virtually been brought to a
close.
Positive proof of my innocence j. is. of
course, impossible for me to prodcce. But,
II c'rcums1antial evi,leNce is Of any avail.
may sta:e that only a week ago went
to Detrol: under safe condccs" of the
military authorities to arrange my affairs
and return to my native State. If I had