Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-16

oil crime Dy them ana thelr cOmpeeTs-
on proving up diabolism and far reach
ing scheme Of villany which is likely to
implicnte a hundred morel He ought
to have full liberty and reward If he
has or will let the whole truth out to the
bottom Of the well.
he says in his last petition he had
not intended further disclosures at the
time Of sending the first application un'
til he was set at liberty, because it
might be suspected he only did it to OBJ
tain thepardon. But when the pardon
was once obtained then he intended to
do it sure enough, and then of course he
would be believed. He does not think
himself devoid Of patriotism or honor
although convicted of lieing somewhat.
He avows that the efforts Ashley, Holt
Il Co. are making for his release are
selfish, to save their own necks, and
that therefore he is not ungrateful in
exposing their villiany." He says he
will prove it by the most irrelragable
evidence"
Ashley first explained what false testi-
mony it would be necessary to give
first, that Both was private visitor Of
the President; second, that he had been
in correspondence with him; third, that
the placing of Aizerodt at the
Kirkwood was only sham, and fourth
that Booth stated just after the 4th of
March to intimate friends in New York
whom he was endeavoring to enlist in
the conspiracy that he was acting
with the knowledge of the President" "
thus accounting for johnson strange
conduct at the inauguration, which was
more nervousness than intoxication.
He further states that Ashley and
Butler had pressed him to send for two
or three persons of intelligence and
qualifications, to parade before incredu-
lous friends conversant with the designs,
and that Ashley supplied the facts to be
proved and the witnesses drilled. Also,
that he forwarded them by " trusty
friend" with secret instructions as
to his own purposes" and with in.
structions to procure two other friends
to be drilled; that after the parts were
learned Rev. Mr.. Matchett was sent for
"that it might be said that he, agent for
the impeachers, had found the witnesses,
and vouched for them" that Ashley
and Butler had inspected the witnesses
and found them all right as TO intelli
geDce, etc; that because he (Dunham)
was in jail, Ashley took on himself the
office of preceptor, who revised and cor
rected their statements, and assured
them that if they were examined before
committee they should be spendidly
rewarded" Ashley argued the matter
to them as to its Importance, and the
fact of completely in the assassination
only lacking the evidence in the hands
of the Presidents friends, and which,
therefore, could only be got ut in this
manner; that the end justified the
means, and that all should be rewarded
when the succeeding president should
come into power; and subsequently the
witnesses were presented to Butler, in
spected and passed by him" and intro
duced to several radical members Of the
House who interrogated them. These
facts Durham ayers can be proved by
these three persons (the drilled wit
nesses) and also by his wife, and he will
produce them if at liberty"
He also, with this petition, inclosed
letters from Ashley, which "speak
volumes" and the signature to which
has been verified by the Attorney Gene
raj, ard which ask for " statement"
from Dunham. The statement desired
was, and could be nothing else but this,
"that such and such persons could be
produced who knew and wsud testify to
this, that end the other thing, including
the pretensions that Booth had been seen
in your room several times; thatyou had
corresponded with him and with parties
in Richmond, and that the persons who
could testify to these facts were of the
most respectable standing, and would tell
all they knew, if permitted by the Gov
ernment, for the satisfaction of some
Radicals, whose countenance
and aid was needed in the programme of
impeachment. The statement was to
be in style and tone to carry conviction,
and to contain other points suggested in
Matchetts handwriting and afterwards
sent to him at Toledo.
Matchett blundered in some way-pre-
venting Dunham's release "at the time
whereupon D. became an
gry and used pretty severe language to
Matchett," who was alarmed and told
Batter and Ashley that Dunhamwas about
TO make an expose to the Vice President
Of the whole conspiracy against hin."
Dunham thinks he may have threatened
As much" And hence Butler and Ash
ley also became alarmed, and endeavored
10 obtain the originals Of such Of their
and Matehetts letters as we're in his
hands. And nov having just been or.
Tered to get ready for the peni,entiary,"
Dnnham clnsns his second petition or