Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-08-15

stairs, when he asked him iocuIarly what
| in the DEVILS business he had to do with
johnson; if he was already begging for
an office? Allen can be produced, as well
as the friend who accompanied him to the
Kirkwood House from Booth. Allen, be-
fore going to Richmond, had been led by
Booth to believe that he was confidential
and secret agent of the government,
and that the letters borne by him
had reference to peace propositions which
would speedily lead to asuspension of hos
tilities and the restoration of the Union.
And 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 near Garrett's, and
asked their advice and assistance in his -ef-
forts to escape. He informed them that he
had killed Lincoln, and thereby made
Egood southern man President. One of the
parties named 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 was more ex-
treme in his views and greater enemy
to the South than Lincoln. Booth replied
that it was a mistake, that johnson as
candidate or 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 to the South, and if he went back
on him (Booth) he would have him hung
| higher than Haman. These men belong to
good families, and have excellent charac-
ters, and can be produced as witnesses.
Here the paper ends, but the following.
which was originally the final clause, and
is now cancelled, is still legible. sni ft
For the names of Dawson andtAllen used
above, leave blanks or substitute such per-
sons as you know will take their parts.
l[Bl THURSDAY MoRNING, April Is, 1867.
Dear Sir "A telegram calls me to Phil
adelphia and go on the IL O'Clock A. NJ.
train. L therefore send you an envenope
inwhich you can send me by mail your
statement. 49,. ...-
1 hope you will be able to put in the of
flee this evening, SO that can get it next
Monday. -lIif ..t -J s..-l....4 .E
Wishing you every success, I am yours,
| truly, J. M. ASHLEY.
At and after the word statement above,
the words Incorporating the verba n' are
stricken studiously out. z-5. tra.
I[Cl TOLEDO, OHIO, April %, 1867.
A[y Dear Sir ION my return home to-day
1 found your favor and the promised state
ment enclosed: 1 expect to be in Wash
iugton on Thursday, and will see you that
i day or the next morning. Truly, your
friend, ri. -. I'M. ASHLEY.
/ C. A. Dunham, Esq, Washington.
This letter seems to have come here in
common envelope, superscribed &C. A.
Dunham, Present." which is much pocket
soiled. The same applied to the following:
\.
Dear Sir: Your note is just received.
Let your counsel act as they deem best,
taking advantage of every legal point
which may be presented. think the course
proposed by them is all that we want.
Truly, j. M. ASHLEY.
Next we have the following:
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs,l
July s, 1867.
My Dear Sir: have just seen your wife,
| l. l4NHA VN.- radrr -nnF Oc-
sured that / do not credit the false and
stupid reports made against you. If you
had the letters 1 know you never would
send copies to L. If you can put the
original in my hands will say that no one
shall take or destroy them without your
express order in eoriting, except you are re-
leased. Will see your wife again this even
ing. Respectfully, j. M. ASHLEY.
| G. A. DUNHAM. Il .-.- 7..' ..-
This, Mr.. President. completes the full
and literal recital of all the papers or
other adhering data before me. The par
Gel comprising all but the pardon papers
reached this office in one envelope from
the Executive Mansion, endorsed, Re
ceived from Mrs. Dunham, July 80, 1867"
f The papers having come from person
whose application for pardon was under
, going official examination here, were, for
. very obvious reasons, associated with it in
| considering the matter. Struck by their
extraordinary. character, yet remembering
in how unexpected and casual manner
they had been received at the Mxecutive
| office, l Immediately determined that, until
I should have made this report their quail
ity and significance, whatever. these may
be, should remain unchanged by investi-
, CATION, or by any eXtraneous connection
or association whatever, not only of rec
t ord, but as tar as practicable in my own
:. mind. This course it is necessary to bear
{ in recollection in the act OF estimating
: the probable weight or value OF the allega-
e tions."
4 Never having seen the handwriting OF
the Hon. j. NJ. Ashley, L thought it due
, to him that I-should not proceed without
acquiring a notion of his genuine chiro-
L graphy. therefore exhibited that letter
j which was written by Mr.. Ashley to rec
ommend the pardon of Durham to gentle
: men acquainted with his handwriting
: The latter, without hesitation, recognized
e that letter as genuine. The others striking
b ly resemble it. -
' In conclusion, beg leave to express the
i profound sensibility with which find my
o self obliged to bring to the serious notice
# of the President of the United States accu-
o sations and papers which must occasion
g him painful embarrassment. They expose
: prominent members of the Le2isla-
|, ture of the Union to the shocking
o suspicion of having conspired with {
If convicted perjurer for a stupendous impo-
=
d tatives, then upon the people, and ther
;e upon the Senate of the United States, fol
= the purpose of effecting the Impeachment
e and removal from office of a President o
y the United States, solely upon subornet
,r testimony.
N / need not say with what astonishmen
q, mankind would hear it charged that
t. scheme so abominable was heightened still
by the peculiar wickedness of attemptin!
N to induce the intended victim himself
ID through appeals to his clemency, to qualif.
E. by a pardon, with consequent competenc.
he to act and testify, the principal instrumen
g, of the imposture. But, impossible as tn
to existence of such a conspiracy may seem
r is not the President exposed to as grave ac
IN countability for whatever consequences
" may possibly follow an incredulity too gen
t. erous in the premises to be INDUCED mere
ly because these adventurous data hav
or been thrust upon his casual notice by
party who has been dishonored by Grim
inal verdict, but who is still, in the express
ed opinion of competent professional pei
re sons, qualified to be vehicle of truth in
RS court of justice.
nd thus lay the whole matter before you
m Excellency for your better judgment. L
or the meantime the application for pardo
o. will be suspended.
Very respectfully,
n Your obedient servant,
JOHN NJ. BINCKLEY,
a Acting Attorney General.
20 To Andrew johnson, President of the Un
:; ted States,