Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-07-30
TRIAL OF SURRATT.
WITNESS CALLED TO IMPEACH A GOVERNMENT
WITNESS IHPEAcHEs HIMSELF.
How the Actor Matthews Is Involving
Himself.
THE WITNESS CALLED TO IMPEAcH SURGEON
MMILLIAN.
He Is PardOned BY the President in Or.
der that He May Appear.
SKETCH OF HIS D1sHoNoRAB1E LIFE.


Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.J
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 10.
The evidence in the Surratt case to-day was quite
important.
The register of the Webster House, Canandaigua,
was again brought forward and another effort made
to introduce it evidence, but the Judge declined
q second time to allow it to appear in any form.
Defense proved that the signature, John Harri-
son., therein, under date April 18TH 65, was in the
hand writing of Surratt, which no one has denied.
The ground Of the objection by the prosecution is
that the name might have been put there any time
within four five months after the assassination,
and while Surratt was in Canada
The proprietor of the hotel says the book might
easily have been taken away for week or two and
he is under the impression that it missing once
for some time.
The defence is yet unable to find anybody who
saw the prisoner in Canandaigua on the day named
in the book. The witness Canaan was called to i'm
peach the evidence of Weichman. He is strong
Catholic, and has been prominent in the effort to
enlist the sympathy Of all Catholics here in Sur
rats favor. During the war he was rebel SYM
pathizer. He told his story in very glib manner
to-day, but impeached himself before he got through
by saying that the conversation with Weichman,
in which that person made such important state
nents, took place after the conspiracy trial. and
that he was prevented for that reason from laying
them before the defense in that trial. while the fact
is that Wechman left the city two weeks before tho
close of that case and did not return for several
months.
The witness Matthews was called 10 prove the
contents Of Booths letter to the lntelligencer de-
livered to him on the evening Of the assassination,
and by him read and burned that night. The de-
csion as to the admission Of this evidence was re-
served till morning. Matthews is in a fair way to
get himself into trouble if allowed 70 proceed He
was examined two years ago. while the conspiracy
trial was in progress and protested then to know SO
liffIa about affaira that 1 no doaropd
while 10 call him. de now wants to swear that
the Booth letter was signed by four persons. Then
he swears it bore the signature of Booth only Now
ne declares the document was in the form of a con-
tract article of agreement. Then he said it was
merely bombastic and rhetorical letter
The most important feature of the days proceed
ings was the evidence Of Cameron, called 70 i'm
peach the testimony of Surgeon McMillian of the
vessel on which Surratt escaped to Europe and the
most important fact in relation 10 this witness
that ne was pardoned by the President on The 4th
inst AZ the intercessi1n of Mr. Bradley the prison
es counsel, that he might be used as witness for
Surratt This fact has been known for some DAYS
and was brought out in the cross-examination To-
day.
Cameron is a Maryland rebel, who studied for
the ministry, received deacon's orders, ran the
blockade, and entered the Southern service in the
summer Of 1861, remaining persistent and indie
fatigable rebel till the end Of the war He was
protestant and says no turned Catholic out Of graf
ltude to the Pope for recognizing the Confederaey
he held a chaplaias commission, and seems 70 have
been active in doing any dirty work that came to
hand using his ehapains position aid to shield
him from first 10 last he was notorious block
ads runner, belonged TO Morgans guerrillas, and
furnished the ST. Albans raiders and robbers with
their commissions BE has been IN the old capitol
prison. and while in Europe wrote articles bolster
ing up the rebel cause He has, i Is understood,
been indicted for stealing and takes such an inte
rest in getting Surratt clear that since his retarn to
the United States six weeks ago he hes not been to
see his wife and children who live but ninety miles
away, and whom he has not met for nearly four
yesrs. Yet this man, coming under one Of the e1-
eepted elausee If the amnesty proclamation, has
been pardoned by the President since the defense
began presenting their case, solely that he might
appear rs witness against the Government The I
greater part q; his testimony was a direct contra
diction Of that given by Surgeon Mcmillan, ana
no one but fs5el synpathizers win believe word
he said