The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-27
DAVIS AND sURRATT.
SPECIAL cosRespQsss.:s.sss: Of THE HfaAlu,


| JEFF Davis Routine Daily JJfe-Interess i'm
the Surratt TriaI-The Abduction scheme,
and How IL Was TO Have Been Accom-
| plished-A Good Deal Of Testimony Yet
Latent. - go.
Not long since several wealthy parties here proposed
TO present JEFF Davis with fine mansion in town and an
the country The matter being preached to his
friends they quickly discountenaucsd IL By one OF
these his intimate friends have been acquainted with
the circumstances, and authorized 10 say that
such offer has been made 10 Mr.. Davis and that
over, II it had been he would have declined IT, having
determined upon an nvariabls opposition 10 any and
everything Of the kind Hence whether these bestowes
OF palaces made serious prefer not certain that
the whilom President lives quietly enough in house
rented by hrs mothern.law, Mrs. Howell There, be.
very modest walls soourns all that there is Of
JET Davsdom, the G. O. 8 r. Of which has quite left
OF bis favors old amusement Of removing Joe Johnston
and promoting Bragg. In fact, his performances are
very limited II the spectacle Of fallen power over
again. He receives now and then few visitors walks
whenever his health permits has lively time trying
to read what the newspapers say about him.
TO writing on account of his inArmilies Of sight JEFF,
Jr., sprghtly looking chap, approaching his teens,
attracts great deal Of his attention. Mrs. Davis being
absent, and her daughters In convent the family
present consists Of these two They all meet
here with great show Of sympathy; but whether
II arises from pure love for the house Of Davis.
spite for the United States, it is not necessary
10 decide. By the way, straw bail up here rs looked
upon being very effective thing however regarded
elsewhere Tho belief s emphatically harbored that
there will not be the slightest attempt made at trial
November. Until that time rolls by when the formal
ies in usage will require Mr.. Davis presence in Rich
mond he is booked for this city--which, DO II said In
passing is about as hot now as 1t possible for Msss
spp to be- Since his visit to the theatre some nights
snce the town talk has treated principally Of that
event. Among the rest overheard the expression OF
Flgaros opinion in the premises, thus :-"Blly, Mr.
says Jefferson Davis bad fine opportunity last night to
make speech for reconciliation. But, la anything
he sad wouldn't be minded Besides, he is like
Grant-a man Of few wordsn
The surratt trial IL watched here with keen interest
am led to believe that some OF the mysteries and
plcatons Of these times could be unraveed elsewhere
than at Washington. There 10 undercurrent Of
opinion in certain circles Of this place. plainly showing
that there are parties here who know more upon the
tories Of the day than they choose 10 tell General
Butler may DO inquisvey disposed but ar er all he Is
not an inqnisitor with full powers IL he one he
might obtain hereabout not few revelations bearing
part to defending the reputation Of the innocent
pose the guilty. I have talked with some OF these
parties who, from their past and present known posi-
ions can be correctly entitled well informed persons
and who have been behind the curtains They
10 procure commissions for the raiders; that he
paid there for his but received any
money from either Clay or Thompson. The latter de-
mes the charge against him Of having drawn from q
Montreal bank large sum Of money for the express
purpose of giving to Surrst that much talked of draft
having been solely for the purchase Of stocks He
states that he surratt but once and then for
moment only, he delivered to him dispatches In re-
riy to a COMMUNICATION he had forwarded by lady to
the Richmond authorities; that he could not recognz.
Inn II no were 10 see him.
The parties mentioned, proceeding In their accounts,
ssert that IL very 'prohabc'' Surratt enga led
the attempt TO abduct Lincoln, that scheme had
been started in 1853 legitimate piece warfare At
that early date Percy Wyndham commanding at and
around Washineon il Is alleged, 10 have delivered
Mr. Lincoln and Cabinet at General Lees headquarters
AMI would, they say, have done had he not been
removed before the time liked for carrying out the
PROJECT.
subsequently, towards the close Of the war; Surratt
Booth Co. hit upon another abduction scheme which
vas freely talked over In knowing circles Richmond
months before the evacuation occurred; and this plan,
hey assert, Booth, the strength OF events suddenly
changed into ono Of assassination upon his own respon
ShiAsy witae0s Susrass,s pr.o&P>Aiu
In regard the assassination which they consider 10
have been the Chief OF the South troubles and
Affections they q confident belief that moro
Sbout could be extracted from men high in Office
Than from anybody else n these gentlemen were dis.
posed to mount the stand