The Portland daily press., 1867-07-17
THE SURRATT TRIAL.
WASHINGTON, July 16

WASHINGTON, July 16.
The Surratt trial was resumed this morning.
Frederick A. Chamberlain was recalled and
examined by Mr.. Bradley. He testified to the
movement of trains on the New York Central
Railroad.
D. Fl. Bates recalled. Recognized the sigma
ture ofJohn Harrison on the register of the
Webster House, Canandaigua, as being Sur
rats hand writing. The defense asked whose
writing the name of Harry Sherman on the
register of the Spottswoods House, Richmond,
March 25th, was in.
Mr. Pierpont objected, and discussion be-
tween the counsel ensued, as to the admissa-
bility of the evidence, the defence proposing to
show that Surratt was in Richmond at that
time, and on other business than that connect
ed with the conspiracy charged in the indict-
ment.
s. B. Tinsley sworn. Was clerk of the
Spottswood Hotel in 1865. Identified the
book as the register of that hotel; recollected
man stopping there from March 29th to April
LIST who registered his name as Harry Sher-
man
D. r. Bates recalled. Testified that he be-
leved the signature to be in Surratts hand
writing.
Henry H. Bragden sworn Was employed
in Richmond in March and April, 1865. Saw
prisoner there March 18th. He went under
the name of Harry Sherman. Witness
was asked If he went to the Office of BENZ. But
Ter.
Mr.. Pierpont objected, and after argument
Vic tNlutuC6 Was Tuicu OuC
II. ID. BragdLn was recalled, and Mr. Brad
ley proposed to ask him whether he did not
see Benjamin pay Surratt ten twenty dollar
goldpieces and whether he knew for what pur-
pose the money was paid.
Objected and ruled out
Mr. Merrick proposed to offer in evidence
the affidavit OF DR.. Mcmillan, before the U.
3. Court at Liverpool about the confession of
Surratt. Ruled out
Stephen f. Cameron was sworn. Witness
H.a&l 10
went to Europe in company with DR.. McMil.
Ian on the steamship Nova Scotian from Que
bee. DIR. Mcmillan stated that Surratt told
him that he was in Elmira on the 18th of April
1866, and only learned there that the President
had been assassinated. He stated distinctly
that it was there he had heard first of the as
sassination and Immediately turned his face
towards Canada. The DR.. asked witness if he
did not think that he, (McMillan) was compro-
missing himself by extending assistance to Sur
raft. he said that Surratt told him the entire
plan for the abduction was laid by Booth who
had expended from $4,000 to 5000 on it, He
said he had never repeated his conversation
with Surratt to any person but witness.
The witness was'subjected to a long cross
examination, which brought out his history as
Chaplain and as connected with the St. AL
bans raiders. Witness said he would have Sc
GREETED Surratt and told him Mcmillan would
defray his expenses for board; did not want an
innocent man to suffer, and believed Surratt
was innocent; made notes of his CONVEX
sation with DR.. Mcmillan as they occurred,
but did not write them out.
At o'clock the Court took recess for half
an hour.
On reassembling Lewis j. CARLOAD was re-
called by Mr.. Bradley, and stated that be
knew Weichman and took walk with him in
the summer of 1865, and called on Mr. Brop-
ley; during the walk Weichman stated that
he was troubled about the way he had testified
before the military commission, and wanted
witness to go to 1t Aloysins and make his
confession; witness told him he had better 90
to magistrate and make his confession; he
replied that he would if he dared, but he was
afraid he would be charged with perjury; he
said that if he had been permitted to do as he
desired in testifying it would have been differ
emit with Mrs. Surratt; that the statement had
been prepared for him, which he was to swear
to, or, in case of refusal, he was threatened
with complication with the conspiracy; he
said that the man had written out the state
ment that he (Weichman) had said and that
he must swear to it.
Cross-examined- had been exam
ined before; was examined May 4th by Judge
DIN at the War Department: did NOT state
these things there because the Conversation
had not then taken place; this conversation
took place in the street in going from Ford's
Theatre to 1t. Alloysins.
James Clifford recalled by Mr.. Merrick.-
Witness was in Carroll prison with WEIGH
man; witness heard an officer tell him there if
he did not swear to more than he had told
him he would be hung; James Maddox was
present at the time.
John Matthews sworn-Witness wa in this
city in April, 1865, playing at Ford's Theatre;
saw Booth on the 14th cay of April; he was
on horseback; conversed with him nearly five
minutes he was leaning over from his horse
to speak; he shook hands nervously and ap-
peared to be excited; he placed a sealed paper
in witness hands, and witness placed it in his
pocket; witness saw it afterwards in his room
after the shot was fred; it was in Booths
handwriting.
Q.-What was the contents of that letter.
and by whom was it signed?
Mr.. Perrepoint-I object to that, and desire
not to discuss such a proposition.
Mr.: Bradley said it was serious matter;
asked the Court to allow counsel to discuss it
the remainder of the evening. 1t was expect
ed to show that the contents of the letter was
an agreement of the conspirators, neither of
whom was on trial. He did not know wheth-
er the matter had ever reached the ears Of the
Court The witness had been examined be-
fore the Judiciary Committee, and that was
how the defence had found the matter.
The Court said it had studiously avoided
hearing or reading anything concerning this
matter, presuming he might possibly have to
try some case connected with the conspiracy
He did not think the counsel would hold it
worthy of him to approach him with anything
of the kind beforehand.