Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-08-09

Though must say that the evidence |
of your Christian humility almost Iully |
assures me, / propose, with your per-
mission, TO assist in organizing num-
Der of select men-say not ess imam
three to five hundred-to go into the
United States and assassinate the most
prominent leaders ofour enemies-tor
instance, Seward, Lincoln, Greeley, Prem
tice, sc. Considering II unnecessary to
discuss the chances of success at this
time, will only say few words as the
opjnion of its effect. / made IL point
TO elicit the opinion Of many men upon
this subject, in whose good sense | have
great confidence but while difference
Of dominion is almost inevitable, most
have confidence in its benefits to us
The most plausible argument seems TO
be, that to impress upon the Northern
mind that for men in high places there
TO WELD their influence of the baroarism
they have been so cruelty practising mp
on us is to jeopardize their lives-ior de-
signing leaders there TO feel that the
moment they array hordes for our de-
struction, at that moment their existence
is in the utmost peril-would produce a
hesitation and confusion that would lead
to peace and our independence.
This letter was received August "a,
1868, and is noticed as follows: Asks
permission to take from three to five
hundred men and assassinate the lead
ing men in the United States Respect
fully referred, by the direction Of the
President, TO the Hon. Secretary Of War.
JIG. Ives Col. and A. d. G. August "a.
File
In addition TO the testimony thus
presented upon the point, the Committee
offer letter Of Lieut. R. Aston, which
was produced at the trial Of the conspir-
ators of the assassination of President
Lincoln, from which the following is an
extract ,..
i now offer you my services,and ifyou
will favor me in my designs, l proceed,
as soon as my health will permit, to rid
nv country of some Of her deadIlest enc
mics. by striking at the very hearts
blood of those who seek to enchain her
in slavery. | consider nothing dishonOr-
able having such tendency. All ask
of YOU is to favor me by granting the
necessary papers, &c, TO travel. ! am
! perfectly familiar with the North, and
feel confident that / can execute any
thing | undertake.
! These documents are conclusive upon
the point that Davis and Benjamin and
Walker, in the years Of 1861, 1862, 1868
| 1864 and 1865, received and entertained
! and considered propositions for the as
| sassination of the chief men Of the Gov
eminent Of the United States, gand there
from probability arises that they tool
steps to accomplish the purpose that io
so long q period Of time they entertained
and considered.
The testimony at the trial Of the as
sassins instities the inference of the mur
der of Mr. Lincoln was procured by tn
use of money furnished by the RichmOn
Government. Louis J. WeiChman state
that Surratt arrived in Washington o.
the Sd of April, 1865, from Richmond
that he there had an interview with Da
Wis and Benjamin, on or about the 25t
of March preceding; that Surratt had i
his possession at that time considers
BILE quantity Of gold, and that he n
manned in Washington but few hour
Surratt is connected with Booth an
with the assassination by an amount {
testimony which cannot be controlled
Samuel Knogg Chester stated upo
the conspiracy trial that he was a
VI quainted with Booth, and that Boot
on several occasions tried to Undue
, him to take part in kidnapping or mu
dering the President. At one time Boot
sent him by letter $50. When Chest
finally positively refused to take part
/ the crime he returned the money
, Booth, Booth saying as he received
that he would not allow Chester to {
f so, but that he was so very short
, funds, and that he or some Of the par
, must go to Richmond and obtain mea
to carry out their designs, The int
view appears TO have been as late as t
, month of February, 1865, and it is pro
, ably in view of all the facts that t
visit of Surratt to Richmond and his !
: turn with funds was in obedience to t
0 necessity disclosed by Booth in the CO
| versation with Chester. The fact tn
= Surratt was in the secret service OF t
;. Richmond government is proved by t
9 testimony Of James A. FOwle. This W
I | ness was ulHlSGlL III LIIG SGCICO SCI VIC
y the Confederate Government as age
r Of the State Department, and his appe&
ance before the Commute in obedien
D to the authority Of the House Of Rep
sentatives was against his own wish
, and without any previous knowledge
s his part. His testimony disCloses t
/. fact that he is in degree an unwilli
4 witness that he desired to avoid inn
t eating the leaders Of the rebellion in a
= criminal act, and that he is still
l. voted to the cause Of the rebellion.
Committee were assured, however, Il
T. he is man Of truth Fowle says Il
]. he was first acquainted with John
,. Surratt in February, 1865, but that
h had heard of him before. He knew
a was an agent of the rebel governme
and had heard of him as such from
10th day of May, 1868. He says he kn
that Surrat was bearer Of dispatch
and that he was in Richmond about j
uary or February, 1865. He states
IL Their that ne thinks Surratt was sec
K agent of the State Department, but d
t. not positively know it; that each ag
Id was kept to himself; he did not KIN
rs about the others. Benjamin told b
We Surratt was there, and Quinton Wa
cold b;p, 4ba eoyno n