The Van Buren press., 1867-08-16
FROM WASHINGTON.
W WASHINGTON, aug. Q.

W AShiN'i'N' Nu-' o.
The jury in the Surratt case has so far
failed to agree. IL is understood that
eleven are for acquittal and one against
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.
Assistant Attorney General Bucky has
furnished the president with an opinion
in relation to the application for pardon
Of Charles \. Durham, alias Sanford
Conoyor, which is recommended by A. G..
Riddle and Joseph Holt, on account of
services rendered to the prosecution i'm
the trial of Surratt, and which was evi-
IDENTIFY inspired by j. NJ. Ashley. Buckly
gives the petition, and also a long letter
addressed subsequently (July 29) to the
president by Durham, in which he reveals
an alleged plot on the part of Ashley.
Butler and Others to implicatc the pres
idcnt in the plot for the assassination of
Mr.. Lincoln, which, he says, he is capa-
bic of proving by irrefutable evidence
lie says that Ashley explained the kind
OF evidence he thought most advisable to
present: that Booth had on several oc-
casions paid familiar visits to Johnson at
the kirkwood House; that johnson cor
responded with Booth; that the placing
Of Atzerott at the kirkwood House was
only sham, though Atzerott was not
aware OF it, to make it appear that John
son was intended as victim. and thus
distract all suspicion from johnson con
nlying at lncoln's murder; that Booth
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mate friend iii New York, whom he en-
deavored to enlist in the conspiracy. that
he was acting with the knowledge of the
vice president, and that it had been
agreed to kill Lincoln on the day of the
inauguration-which would account for
Johnson's strange conduct on that occa-
sion; ana that Johnson expected the
tragei Y to be enacted there, and had
taken several potations to compose and
nerve him for the event.
Dunham says that he assured Ashley
that he should have no difficulty in find
ing persons of good standing and moral
character to prove these matters, and
that it was agreed he should do so as
soon as released Ashley and Butler
| pressed him to send for two or three per
sons of intelligence, which was done, but
Dunham being in Jail it was found neces
sary for some one else to act as their
preceptor, which was with slight hesita
ton agreed to by Ashley on Dunham's S
assurance that the parties were radicals,
/ dyed in the wool, and men of honor in
whom he could safely repose confidence.
Tho Starement they were desired to make
was revised and corrected by Mr.. Ashley.
and they were assured by him that. in
case 1t should be determined to examine
them before the committee, they should
be splendidly rewarded Subsequently,
the parties were presented to Butler, and
introduced by him and Ashley to several
radical members, who accompanied the
foregoing with the same statements about
the visit Of a Mr.. Allen to Richmond,
by Johnson, through or in connection
with Booth, and personal letters from
Ashley to Duuham
Thaddeus Stevens writes that he will
offer bill at the next session Of con-
gress, providing for the confiscation of
the estates Of those rebels and slave hold
ers, who discharge negroes for voting
the republican ticket.
New YORK, Aug 5.
The Times special saws the recon-
mendation for mercy for Mrs. Surratt,
made by members of the military com
mission which tried the assassination
conspirators, has at last been unearthed
and reads as follows:
"The undersigned, members of the
military commission detailed to try Mary
e. Surratt and others for the conspiracy
and the murder Of Abraham Lincoln, late
president of the United States, especially
pray the president, in consideration of
the sex and age of the said Mary f. Sur
raft, and hereupon all acts of the case, if
he can find it consistent with his sense Of
duty to the country, to commute the sen
tence Of death which the court has been
constrained to pronounce, to imprison-
mcnt in the penitentiary for life. Re,
specttuIly submitted. (Signed.) J
d. d. HUNTER, Major Gen, President.
A. AvEY KAUTz, Brig. and Brcvet Maj
General
r. p. FOSTER, Brig and Brevet Major
General.
JAMES a. EAKIN, Brcvet Brig. General.
CHAs. II. ToMPKINs, Brevet Col. and
a. G. NJ
The recommendation was drawn up by
Hon. John c. Bingham, Judge Advocate,
and the following members of the court
refused to sign it: Gen. Lew. Wallace,
o. ?. Howe, f. M. Harris, and Col G.
K. Glcndeanin.
NEw York, Aug. 0.
The W World s special says the president
practically ignored Secretary Stanton to-
day by addressing communication to
Col Townsend, assistant adjutant gener
al OF the army, Instead Of the secretary
OF war, as is customary.
LOUISVILLE, August g.
Returns thus far are completely one
sided. The Democrats have elected al
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