Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-09-28
WILKES BOOTH ALIVE.

THE following most extraordinary
letter has been transcribed expressly
for the Louisville Journal, by the Hon.
T. Fernandez, of Havana, from the
original, in the possession of the Hon.
Stephen Maxwell, Professor of Theology
who has consented to its publication.
Prof. Maxwell was, when last heard
from. August 9th, 1867, at the In
glaterra Hotel, Havana. He is warm
personal friend of the learned writer,
Prof. Frazer
Hon. STEPHEN MAxwELL-Dear
Sr:-Since your departure a strange
incident has occurred in this city, some
thing similar in its nature to the affair
that created so much excitement in
Calcutta some months ago, though in
this case the amount at issue is four
times greater than in the other. Hav-
ing promised you that l would make
diligent inquiry about the ship Bird of
the Ocean and her commander, it luck
lily so happened that l was spared the
trouble of extending my inquiries be-
yond this city, by the arrival of the ship
in question at this port on the 26th of
March.
The "Bird of the Ocean" having
become notorious, through the agency of
her communicable celebrated Capt.
W. Martin Tolbert-in consequence of
having practically captured several mcr-
chant vessels on the South Pacific and
Indian Oceans, as it has been alleged,
attracted no little attention upon enter
ing Bombay harbor. Her papers we:e
subjected to a rigid examination, by the
Custom House authorities, but no flaw
could be found in them, she having
creditable clearance from Singapore, and
a manifest, embracing a full list Of
cargo, duly authenticated. Her cargo
consisted of general merchandise, on
consignment to the house of Lenard &
Co., which she commenced discharging
Oh the second day after entering port
| took advantage of an opportunity
of visiting her on the day subsequent
to her arrival, in company with Capt
Parker, of the ship Sea Gull, Captain
Hunt of the Tyrol, and Col. Ferguson,
the last named gentleman being ac-
quainted with Captain Tolbert We
were cordially received or board by
that noted individual, of whom I had
heard so much, but never met till now;
and from his affable manners and genial
conversation, [ could scarcely realize
that the man confronting me was the
celebrated character whose daring deeds
have oft times created such furor and
excitement in the East Indies The
very embodiment of grace and polite
ness, excessively lavish in manifesto
tions of hospitality, and brim full of
dry humor, my first impressions could
not be otherwise than fayorable-for, to
my amazement, l discovered in him
evidences of the refined gentleman, in
stead of the "blood- thirsty pirate"
which the "Iin,eS of India" has been
pleased to term him.
In compliance with the request of
Col. ferguson, Capt. Tolbert narrated
the particulars of the manner in which
he won the wager in Calcutta-''t ''that
Booth was alive )" and in reply to re-
mark ventured by Capt. Hunt, as fol-
lows: "Well, Captain, must say you
did humbug the Calcutta folks pretty
badly; really it is shame - Tolbert
coolly said "Humbuggcd them ? there
was no humbug about it, sir full
filed my part Of the contract, and fur
nished proof that Booth was alive .
Why do you term it hun.bug? [ desire
an explanation, sir " The following
conversation ensued, which (having
taken down on the spot) l give Uerbdtim
ct hterdtim D.: "The reason why [ call
it by that name is simply this I do
not believe Booth is alive, nor that, if
your opponent had seen proper to have
contested the matter, a fair decision
would have given it in your favor"
Whereupon Capt. Tolbert, becoming
somewhat excited, remarked: Capt
Hunt, if am not mistaken in you, you
are man who will back any assertion
you may make with your money; am l
correct" To this Hunt replied: 81
believe I am sir, if l know myself"
''Well, then, sir, if you believe Booth
is not alive, how many pounds would
you be willing to back that belief with
otherwise what do you value your
opinion at?" 81 value my opinion
very highly, Captain; but that is not
saying that l would risk a bet on
thing unless I thought l had a fair
shake ~ "Please name your own con-
ditions, and the amount you wish to
put up; you shall be accommodated in
should be willing to stake anything upon
the matter in dispute, would be this +:
1 must see Booth, or the party purport-
ing to be Booth, with my own eyes, and
have an opportunity of conversing with
and questioning him in order to satisfy
myself whether he is alive or not, as it
SO happens, 1 know him quite intimate
ly, and could not be deceiUed If the
person whom you allege is Booth should
prove to be a humbug the money at
stake will be mine but if I recognize
in him the genuine John Wilkes Booth,
it will be yours. I know Booth SO we'll
that could not fail to identity him at
first sight even through his disguise
should be wear one. If you will grant
me this liberty | would be willing to
G.