Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-08-16

Butler, and, after being inspected and passed by
| him, were introduced by him and Ashley to sew
! eral Radical members of the House, who, it was
understood, had hitherto doubted the existence
| of evidence duplicating you in the assassination
conspiracy and who informally Intercepted them
| as to the matters upon which they had been IN
Butler desired to have taken the dispositions of
these men at the time. but would not consent to
its being done until should be released as at rst
These facts can be proved by these three per-
sons, and also by my wife, whose character for
truth and veracty is not inferior to Dir. Ashleys
and shall take pleasure if at liberty, in produc-
ing them before any committee or tribunal for the
impeachment of the impeachers.
Bnt the evidence of this conspiracy does not
depend entirely upon oral proof The letters from
Ashley herewith enclosed, in themselves speak
volumes What statement [Bl from me could he
have wanted, and for what purpose? Anything
it was in my power to state to him could have
been stated to him orally dozen times during
his previous visits to
Tie statement he wanted was this, and for this
purpose: There were many prominent Radicals.
and especially among his constituents, who
were Iukewarm on the subject OF impeachment {:
who were not prepared to believe that you were
priyy to the murder of Lincoln, ana whose COOP
Grafton was greatly needed. Ashley, therefore,
desired to be able to place before them assurances
that the most unquestionable evidence OF your
guilt could be produced. He, therefore, request
ed me to prepare an elaborate paper, setting
forth that such and such persons could be pro-
duced who knew and would testify TO this, that,
and the other thing, including The pretenslonS
that Booth had been seen IN your room several
times, that you had correspondent with hlm ana
with parties iii Richmond; and that the persons
who could testify to those facts were OF the most
respectable standing, and would come forward
and Tell all they knew, If protected by the Gov
ernment He wished me to put it III a style ard
tone that would be sure to carry CONVECTION Wl.n
it, He desired, that in addition to the points OF
evidence we had conferred about, my statement
should contain others ; and he gave me a memo
randum Of other points winch ne requested me 10
Sta x
randum enclosed, and it is, believe, IN Match
etts handwriting, La After preparing tue state
Iaent | sent it to lln at Toledo where he wished
to make use Of it, iC.l
There is another note from Ashley enclosed,
worthy OF attention. It is i'll pencil and was writ
ten at the office OF Judge Carter, [E, f After
the failure, through the laundering OF Matchett,
to secure my release at the time promised be-
came angry, and used pretty severe language TO
Matchett. He went TO Ashley and Butler III alarm,
and reported that was gong 10 expose inc en-
tire scheme to you.
After tho persons had sent for to New York as
witnesses had returned Matchett endeavOred,
without my knowledge, to persuade them to come
here again, and in his letters to two ct them he
thOughtlessy suggested some additions that 1t
was desired they should make to their statements
He made these suggestions by letter, as his let
tUrs explained because it was not certain that he
world be here when they should arrive, or they
might meet Judge Bingham, or some of the per-
SONS they had been introduced to when previous
Nv here, before he could see them, and give them
their points, and he therefore wanted them
s'posted'
After my talking to him severely on account of
the failure to have me realeased at the time pro
missed r. d. MatChett became frightened and
seemed to get the idea that had his letters to
those parties, and had sent them, or copies OF
them. to you, Possibly, in my anger. threat
ened as much. He therefore made known his fears
to Ashley and Butler, and Ashley endeavored by
this note to obtain the letters.
| have lust been ordered to get ready for the
Penltentlary.
Very respectfully,
CHAs. A. DUNHAM.
The following are the several papers
which accompany the above. The letters of
reference inserted in the foregoing and an
nexed to the succeeding are not upon the
original, but are introduced solely for your
convenience in perusing this report.
The subioined paper, headed "memo-
randum," by the hand that wrote it, bears
internal evidence of having been furnished
as guide to some person or persons who
were expected to fabricate corresponding
testimony
A.l-MEMoRANDUM.
Shortly before the inauguration of Lincoln and
Johnson, the latter, through or III connection
with Booth, sent several letters to the COnfedera-
cy, of which was intended for Jefferson Davis.
These letters were borne by Il messenger named
Allen who had been acting a scout spy for
one Of the Union Generals. Allen was provided
with q safe conduct through our picket tines, AND
was supposed to have been sent GA secret duty IN
vided with papers from a rebel emissary at the
North to insure him proper treatment when he
should enter the Confederate lines After deliver
ing his mail in Richmond, he returned, bearing
several letters which he received from j. 7. Ben
jamin. These letters were enclosed to Booth. On
returning to Washington, Allen called on Booth
and delivered the package, and Booth. after eX-
amining Of the letters, went out, as he said,
in search of his messenger. The messenger could
not be found, and Booth asked Allen if he was too
tired to go as far as the klrkwood House. Allen
the package brought from Richmond, selected a
letter addressed to ANDREW Johnson, Vice Pres
ident of the United States and asked Allen to de-
liver it. Allen promised to do so, and then accom-
panied Booth to the bar-room to first take drink.
Here Allen met friend, who was invited to join
them in taking drink, and afterwards accompa-
MED him to the KirkWood and heard HIM inquire
if Mr.. Johnson was in, and saw HIM go for his
(JOhnsOns) room. This friend waited until Allen
came down stairs when he asked him, jocularly,
what in the devils business he had to do with
Johnson--if he already begging for an
office. Allen can be produced, as well
as the friend who accompanied him to
the KirkN God from Booth. Allen, before going to
Richmond, had been led by Booth to believe that
he was q confidential and secret agent for the
Government, and that the letters borne by him
had reference to peace propositions, which would
speedily lead to suspension of hOslities and the
restoration of the Union. Add, also, that it can
further be proved by two persons, formerly rebel
soldiers, that Booth, on the first or second day
before his death, fell in with them CARROTS,
efforts to escape. He informed them that he had
killed Lincoln, and thereby made good Southern
man President. One of the parties, whose name
is Dawson, said to him that, if he meant that he
had made Andy Johnson President he had done
the worst possible thing for the South, as he
more extreme in his views, and greater enemy
to the South than Lincoln. Booth replied that it
was mistake-that Johnson as q candidate and
office seeker, had to say great many things, but
that as President he could do as he pleased; that
he was bound to be a friend of the South, and
that if he went back on him (Booth) he would
have him hung higher than Hannah. These men
belong to good families and bear excellent char
acters and can be produced as witnesses.
Here the paper ends; but the following,
which was originally the final clause, and is
now concluded, is still legible
For the names Of Dawson and Allen, used above,
leave blanks, substitute the names Of such per-
sons as you know will take their parts.
[B.] THURSDAY MORNING, April IS, 1867
DEAR SIR A telegram calls me to Philadelphia,
and go the IL O'Clock A. NJ. train. I, there
FORE send you envelope, in which you can send
me by mail your statement.
hope you will be able to put in the Office this
evening, so that can get it by next Monday.
Wishing you every success, L an truly yours,
j, Ill. ASHLEY.
At and after the word statement" above,
Tho 1,-,,1c tipCs thu ora