The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-05-31
Wednesday Morning, May 81, 1865.
Dr.. Blackburn. again. u,,.;

"a Dr. Blackburn, again. s1i5aa 81 .
Yesterday, at noon, the notorious DR.. Black
burn was again arraigned at the Police Court,
on the charge OF sending clothes infected
with the yellow fever into Northern cities,
with the intention of spreading that dire cpl
demic there. This infamous plot was con-
cocted, OF course, in the interest of the South
but q more inhuman and dastardly mode OF
assailing n belligerent was never heard of in
the annals of barbarism.
The witness, Godfrey J.. Hyams, who gave
his evidence in straightforward and appar-
emily truthful manner, says that the plot dig
mated In this city. In a private room in the
Queens Hotel, he was introduced to Black
burn, who asked him t. 60 on an expedition,
and pledged good faith ION the fellowship Of a
Freemason." According to the Doctor, Hyams
would make his. fortune--' 500 600, Or ten
times mole"-and get more honor and glory
than even Gen. Lee. Having excited his Gu
pidity and ambition in this way, Blackburn
told Hyams the work was to introduce the
yellow fever into Washington, Norfolk, and
other places. 1t appears that the goods were
infected by the Doctor himself. He added
that he was going TO Bermuda. and would be
heard from. In June, 1854, Hyams received
letter directing him to Halifax, whittier he
went, using funds sHpplied for the special pur-
pose by Southerners in this city and in Mon
treal. He there met the Doctor, who gave
him eight trunks and a yalise CONTAINING the
poisoned clothing. eaa sa5 assa -iAs.-i
Blackburn instructed him to asmuQgle" the
goods to Boston, and get them taken thence
to Washington and Norfolk He explained
that the valise was to be a present to Presi-
dent Lincoln. Then there was trunk mark
ed So" which was to 20 to Washington with
out fall Blackburn. moreover. told Hyams
not to be particular about prices In disposng
of the goods, and in order to guard against
catching the infection himself, to be sure "to
slH Wa5, s. . cigars ana cneW campnor;
Philadelphia. and to Baltimore. where re- for
lack of funds, Hyams came to a dead stand
Returning to Canada, he met with Blackburn.
Clay, and other Southern eonspirators, and
got money with which to carry out the scheme.
The goods we're ultimately disposed of in
Washington, Norfolk and Newbern-at which
last place, he afterwards heard, the dread lever
did break out. osr q "a n t.,arA (. - Il
Such is the plain narrative Of one of the
most fiendish plots ever concocted BY the
wickedness Of man. When it was mentioned
some time ago, incidentally, In another trial,
no notice was taken of it.; but the striking
confederation which subsequently came from
Bermuda has invested it with a terrible inter-
est. 1t shows what desperate characters the
Southern refugees count in their ranks, and
to what villany these much petted gentle
men" can resort. 1t illustrates also the "phi-
lanthropic" tendencies of the man Blackburn,
whom the Toronto Leader has held up as a
paragon OF benevolence. "a mr1
IL will be seen that very nice point was
raised yesterday, as to whether Dr.. Blackburn
was liable, inasmuch as his deeds were con-
summated outside the Province. Mr.. Patter-
son commended strongly that he could be legal
ly punished for the misdemeanor, and he had