Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-08-13

thought 1t would be very plausible to prove:
1st That Booth had on several occasions
paid you familiar visits at the KirkwOOd.-
This it was hoped l ight be able to induce
some of the old female servants to testify to.
If this could not be done, then it should be
proved by some of my friends who happened
to be at the house ut the time who knew
Booth, &C., and saw the visits.
I'd. That you correspondent with Booth,
which should be shown by ono or more per-
sons who had taken notes from Booth to you,
and your replies Contents not knoWn) thereto
to Booth. The witnesses should be persons
who would profess to have been intimate with
Booth, and to have been enlisted by him to
take part in the assassination.
Sd. The placing of Atzerodt with weapons
at the KirkwoOd House, was only sham
although Atzerodt was not aware of ito
make it appear that you were intended as a
victim, and thus distract all suspicion from
you Of cOnniving at Lincoln's murder This,
also, it was suggested, could be proved by
persons who could testify that they had been
induced to enter into conspiracy with Booth,
aud had performed a part in organizing it,
&c, which persons it was to be understood,
were induced TO testify under an assurance
from the government that they should not be
prosecuted for any part they had taken.
The resolution under which Buffers COM
mittee was appointed, it will be observed,
provides for the protection Of such persons,
who are furnished with good excuse for
not coming forward before, by offering immu-
nifty to all who were connected with the con-
sPiracy who will come forward aud disclose
their knowledge on the subject
18th. That Booth, just after the 4th of
March, stated to intimate friends in New York,
whom lie endeavOred to enlist in the conspira-
cy, that he was acting with the knowledge
OF the Vice President; and that it had been
arranged to kill Lincoln on the day of the
Inauguration, which would account for MIR.
JohnsOns strange conduct on that occasion,
which had provoked so much comment by
the press; that you expected the tragedy to
be enacted then aud had taken several pota.
tons to compose and nerve you for the event,
and that you were not so much intoxicated as
nervous aud excited.
feel much delicacy in referring to such
topics, but l cannot inform you of your ene-
mics plans and projects without being plain,
and am obliged to write in too great haste
to be choice in my language.
l assured Ashley that should have no
difficulty in finding persons of good standing
and moral character to prove these matters,
and it was agreed that would do SO as soon
as released.
Asan earnest that possessed the ability to
do what engaged, and in order to satisfy some
of their party who doubted the existence of
evidence to connect you with the assassination
conspiracy, Ashley and Butler desired and
pressed me to send for two or three persons,
OF whose intelligence and qualifications they
could satisfy themselves, and whom they
could parade before their incredulous friends.
consented, and Ashley supplied the facts
1t was desired they should know and repeat,
and forwarded them to a trusty friend, with
secret explanations as to my own purpose, and
instructions for him to procure two other
friends to commit to memory the statements
enclosed to him, and when sent for to come
here and repeat them (but not under oath) to
such persons as should indicate.
Then follows a memorandum concocted by
these villains in accordance with the FORE
going suggestions containing such testimony
as itwas desirable should be established against
the President as particeps criminis in the
assassination tragedy. This memorandum
was placed in the hands of Couover, and con-
tains the details of several visits to Mr.. John
son at the kirkwood House, by Booth of
several visits also by the latter to Jefferson
Davis at Richmond, who is represented as
having been in correspondence with Mr..
johnson, &c.-in short, the minutia of the
whole conspiracy.
From this memorandum statement was to
be made by Conover to Ashley, and the agents
whom COnovcr had promised to employ as
witnesses were to be instructed. A reception
of this statement is thus acknowledged by
Ashley, in 4 note to Conover:
TOLEDO, ONO, April %, 1867.
Ny Dear Sir:
On my return home to>day found
your favor and the promised statement en-
closed. l expect TO be in Washington on
Thursday, aud will see you that day or the
next morning. Truly, your friend,
j. NJ. ASHLEY.
Subsequently reports having been circu.
lated that copies of Ashley's letter to Como
yer, Cwhose real name it will be remembered
was e. y. Dunham) and of the memorandum,
had been furnished to improper parties, Ash.
ley became alarmed, and in the following note
attempted to get out Of Conover's possession
these overwhelming evidences of his ASH
ley's) guilt and completely:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
July 8, 1867.
Ny Dear Sill have just seen your wife,
and have your letter. You may rest assured
that do not credit the false and stupid re-
ports made against you. If you had the let
tiers l know you never would send copies to
!. If you can put the original in my
hands l will say that no one shall take or
destroy them without your express order in
writing, except you are released VIII see