The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-21
j. Wilkes. Roofh Alive,

The following letter to the New Orleans
PicaWne, from Galveston, throws addi-
tional light on this strange subject:
GALVESTON, TEXAS, May 10, 1867.
To the Editors o. The Nc,r Orleans Picdyune
Notwithstanding two years have elapsed
since the assassination Of President Lin
coin, and the subsequent capture and
death, las it was officially announced,) Of
the assassin J. Wilkes Booth, you are
doubtless aware Of the fact that there are
many persons who, during all this time,
have doubted and still doubt the identity
of the party alleged to be Booth and be-
lieye the identical, bona fde John Wilkes
Booth to be in existence still.
Since my arrival here ! have met and
gained the following information from Cap
tain ]. X. Johnson, who has recently re-
turned from China and the East Indies,
and whose name is well known to many of
the citizens of New Orleans. Knowing
him as ! have for number of years, and
always having found him q man OF veracity,
can vouch for the truthfulness of his
statement, the substance of which is as
follows:
"While lying at anchor in the port of
Calcutta, British India, prior to starting on
our homeward voyage, in the latter part OF
December, 1866, my attention was at
tracted by the arrival Of a magnificent clip
per ship--the most beautiful model / ever
saw-carrying English colors, and which
dropped her anchor only a few rods
from my vessel. soon asccrtained she
was called the Bird of the Ocean, and
was commanded by the notorious Lieu
tenant W. Martin Tolhert. Having been
we'll acquainted with him during the war.
| dispatched messenger to apprise him of
my close proximity, and requested aninter-
view. In reply, he invited me to come on
board at once: which did. After half an
hour spent in social intercourse over bot
tie Of wine in her elegantly titted-up cabin,
he very politely begged to be excused,
stating he had business in the city which
demanded his immediate attention, pro-
missing me he would visit my ship the same
evening.
"The evening wore along, and | had given
him up coming for the night, and was
making preparations to turn into my ham
mock when the splash of oars greeted my
ears, and in few moments more the Cap
tain stepped upon my deck, accompanied
by another young gentleman, whom re-
cogniZed as Mr.. Robert Troth formerly
an engineer in the Confederate navy.
The first remark Tolbert made was this
Wake up, Johnson, you are boarded by
pirates From my knowledge of the man,
knew he was in for a nights sport, and
decided to let him have his full swing.
After reaching the cabin, assuming a con-
tidential manner, said he: Captain john
son, you and | have always been friends,
aad have come on board your ship to
have a good time with you. have just
won a bet of $500 in Calcutta from one Of
my Boston friends. When | was here, just
six months ago lacking two days, | laid
wager of $500 sterling that Wilkes Booth
| was alive; which was accepted and the
money staked. The conditions were, that
| / was to furnish the proof of the
fact inside of six months. Two men
were selected by my adversary -
accompany me, their expenses to
| be paid by the loser. We have inst got
| back to-day; and those two men, after
being duly sworn, said 'they had seen j.
Wilkes Booth the actor; had converSed
with him: and that he is alive and enjoy
ing excellent health. The judges, after
debating the question at length, finally
rendered decision in my favor, and the
money was handed over forthwith. Booths
| whereabout is known TO five persons only,
who know that he is Booth. lie is living
in obscurity, far from his native land;
and is perfectly safe, as his disguise is so
complete that his own brother would not
recognize him. sailed from Calcutta on
the following day, and have not heard from
the dashing young cX-Lieutenant since.
What he told me made deep impression
on my mind. / pordered over the matter
on my return voyage, aud must say that
firmly believe Booth is alive, and Captain
W. NJ. Tolbert knows where he is"
The above are almost rerJ0i,m his own
words, and comments unnecessary by me.
Respectfully, &C.,
| Nnnr nl1nlinni snrylMt