The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-07-18
The Surratt Trial,
WASHINGTON July I

/
the defence had proved, b. any crediiable
witness, the entry Of the name Of John
Harrison, in tie regular Course of bust
ness, on lA-gril Is, the book might go in
evidence.
| Mr. Bradley stated that he was in condi-
ton to show by evidence that Surratt was
not in the United States between April,
1865, and September Of that year; that he
remained in Canada, and it could be shown
that he was in charge Of friends there az
the time, and never left until he went out
of the country He proposed to offer the
evidence. Witnesses were on the way
here who would state these facts, and were
persons OF the very highest responsibility.
William Failing was recalled, but moth
ing imr,ortant was elicited.
JOS. Dubarry, residing at Harrisburg.
general Superintendent Of the Northern
Central railroad, testified that no train
passed Harrisburg from Baltimore on
4 pril Is, 1865, that could have reached
Elmira that night.
Francis Fitch, assistant to the previous
witness at Elmira, but residing at Williams
port in 1865, gave the same testimony as
to the movement of trains about the time
Of the assassination.
Col Patrick McDonough, Of Philadel-
phia, testified that John Lees character
was very bad, and he would not believe
him under oath.
Col. II. a. Cook and Jno Mcdonnell
testified to the same effect.
L. G.. Lee, Brigadier General in the
Confederate army, testified that he was IN
Canada on April l6, 1865, sick on leave
He saw Surratt o. Anrit 6, 1865. He
brought a dispatch to witness.
Judge Piermcnt objected to the dispatch
being read.
MIR. Bradley said the prosecution had
known that Surratt was in Canada as bear
er of dispatches to Gen. Lee, and he in
tended to settle there, but was employed
BY Gen. Lee on business at Elmira, and
was there on April 49, II and 10. That
he was not in the place to assist in con-
spiraey, but on secret mission OF differ
eat character, and thai he received no
money from Jacob Thompson.
Mr.. Piermoat objected. 1t was contra
~ to every principle of law. The Court
ruled the question out as inadmissible.
The Court here took . recess.
Ga reassembling, Mr.. Bradley offered
to re-read to the Court the following pa
per on the further trial Of this case.
Defendant offered to give in evidence
tending to show: 1. That on April 6, 1865.
he arrived in Montreal, Canada. lie was
the bearer of dispatch from Judah z.
Benjamin, Secretary of State of the Con-
federste States, to thu witness, +. g. Lee,
which dispGtch related to and directed the
disposition CT funds in the hands Of Jacob
Thompson, named in the testimony Of the
prosecution, and showing that 70 part Of
the same was to be paid, to the prisoner
or to any one charged in the indictment in
this case as concerned in tie conspiracy
therein alleged, and in point Of fact what
disposition was to lie made Of said funds
2. The Government also gave evidence
tending to show that the prisoner was in
Elmira after April II and before April Is
1865, and was cooperating with the alleg-
ed assassins of the President, and the prs
oneg having given evidence tending to
show that he was in point Of fact in Elmi-
IA or April Is, II and 10, 1860, he nov
offers further to prove that on April II,
1865, then being in Montreal, he was spec
Tally employed by witness, Z. G. Lee,
then holding commission as BriSadier
General in the army Of the Confederate
States, and absent on sick leave in said
city Of Montreal, to visit Elmira, with a
view to ascertain the position aud condi-
ton of the confederate prisoners confined
at Or near Elnlira. ard make sketches Of
tbs stations of the guards AID the ap-
proaches TO said prison, and also OF the
numbers Of the army and troops tine
that in point Of fact the prisoner left Mon
treal on the afternoon Of said April II. to
60 to Elmira, aud was absent until April
II, on which day or the rext succeeding
lie returned to Montreal aud made his re-
port, and brought back with him what he
purported to be rude sketches Of said pris-
on and its approaches and the number Of
forces, and that he paid the prisoner for
his expenses and services.
s. That the prisoner having left Wash
ington, rs given in evidence by the prose-
cution, on March %, reached Richmond
on March %, and on March | was charg-
ed by Judah Benjamin, secretary Of state
as Aforesaid, with dispatch for witness,
L. G. Lee, at Montreal, where he arrived,
as herein before stated, on April 6, and
where he remained until April 12-all Of
which and each several part is offered
tending to show the whereabouts of the
prisoner, and how, in point of fact. he was
occupied from March 20 to April IL, and
also to show that he did not receive money
from Jacob Thompson, which 1T is preten-
ded by the prosecution he did receive.
Mr.. Picrpont stated that there were
several points in the prosecute n to which
he did not object.
The court said the proper way would be
to place the witness on the stand and put
questions to him, which could be consider
ed and decided on as they were asked.
The witness was then placed upon the
stand and questioned as to the points men
toned in the above, which were ruled oat
by the court.
Witness resumed. had opportunities
of seeing the prisoner in Canada on April
IL, and had been at the hotel, but do not
remember that saw him that day. Did
not see him on the day he left Montreal to
come to the United States. Witness was
not aware, of his own knowledge, that
Surratt had left Canada for the United
States. Witness lost sight of him for sew
eral days after witness saw him at Montre-
l. L