The New York herald., 1867-07-06
Reconstruction 10 be the Exclusive
Business Of the Season.
Thanks Of Congress 10 Generals Sheridan,
Sickles, SeOfeld and Pope.
The Line of Defence Proposed by Sur
rats Counsel.
wAsn,SeroS, July 5, 1867.
IL As O'clock z. N.

National Intelligencer.
hes been given out all along that the counse' iof
suratt have in their power 10 prove that ne'r chent
was not implicated In the assassination plot at ALL and
ahal ,no proof would be at the proper time
u has been boldly stated, too that the government
would not dare to tne prisoner though why has
mover been explained, save by mysterious hints and
shvups which to people seemed more
rotnprehensive than positive utterings or writings.
ulon What the defence place their reliance
q rs not easy discover since nearly all their theo-
riss have thus far been scattered the winds by the
prosecution; but to-day am Informed that of the
chief points on which the defence intend TO base their
theory OF innocence will be their ability to prove the
Of Booths sterious letter TO the editor Of
81 the National Imeli0encer OF this city. That
lester, II will be remembered never reached
The hands for which it destined aud IT'S contents
laid before the public 1t has been reserved
fer named Matthews to clear away the mystery
II this is 10 be credited will be somewhat favorable to
Sum att but by sufficient TO outweigh Of itself
the mass of proof adduced by the prosecution On
Monday last Matthew'S was actor in this city on
the night Of the assassination. before the
Judc ay Committee, and there gave testimony which
clears away all the mystery attached to the leer which
John wilkes Booth wrote 10 the National Ineptgencer
tba. fatal morning. Matthews testified that he met
Booth, who horseback; that Booth called him and
yaso him letter, which he requested Matthews to
ieare next morning al Inc ju'eAiqcRccT once, II
no tMatthewS learned Of Booths having left
toNn, any extraordinary event occurred
during the night Matthews took the letter which
given him hurriedly and with some secresy OF
manner, and had time 10 think about the strange
Of the request That night, when the excitement
grew madness, Matthews bethough him OF the letter.
went to his own room, opened it and road It, il con-
tained statement signed by Booth, Payne. Atz,rodt
and Harold. The statement was that they had tried
ali Ia their power TO abdlct the President, but
had fiicj, and that they had resolved thnt
they would sacrifice their four lives for the
welfare of their country, and remove by death the
President whom they considered the of all its
Having read the letter. with the noise OF the
murder itself for an accompaniment Matthew'S terrified
lest its possession should be construed into com
pnrity on his part lead him into trouble somehow,
burned it, This is the though not the exact word
ing OF Matthews testimony, who was at that time
member OF Ford's dramatic company, and who is now
in this city He will be the witness stand for
tho defence. II will be noticed that Surratt's
name is not signed to the letter, and this
omission the defence intend TO proof
that he had knowledge Of or nstrumentaty in pro
curing the assassination How this theory will be recon
osd with the proof that surratt was in Booths CON-
pauy the theatre the night Of the tregedy the de-
fence hest know. On the other hand l am informed
that the letter did reach the editor Of the ineoener
inference from this would be that the name OF suratt
among seven and has since been suppressed
for the purposes OF the defence
IN addition to all this have learned that letter.
whether the not am unable to assert-written
by Booth, and signed by himself only did reach the
editor Of paper In that letter he gave his reason
tor the assassination, and stated 1t alleged that the
intention to take the lives OF Lincoln johnson,
Seward Stanton and Grant It Is known that Atzerodt
-. l.A rnf oh fha
night OF The assassination and this would seem to sus
tam the theory Grant in the city at the time,
Bg for New York the morning OF the 14;h
o. April He returned however the next day, and was
me, by aguari at Philadelphia by order o. Secretary
sauou II supposed that this letor OF Booth in the
pes-rs ION OF the defence and will be introduced the
trial.
The Business Of Congress to Be Coufined TO
'Rcconstructiou.
TIE Senate has been engaged all the morning In DIS
.euxing resolution, introduced by Senator Anthony
pros dng that other business should BE- le-islaed
during the present than that necessary to
clearly define the in,eotions OF the recons,racon art
aud its supplement, which amended by Mr. Sumner
90 admi, consideration all business The question was
dse ed with great deal Of spirit ana lasted until half
past nvs O'CLOCK, when Mr. An,hony's resolution was
adopted.
The Charscs Against w. n. Barpam.
The memorial OF citizens OF Connecticut, charging
fsand by VIM. H. Barnum IN procuring his election over
the rcjee mermaid specifies several cases in which the
IRON man alleged have brbed voters for SIS, 500
and $3.50 each. The memorial has been properly re.
frrred aud u is expected the developments mado on
The ,nvestisa;ion will bc rich. SPICY and original.
Re~onsfructioa C0mmittee Of the House.
Speaker Cofax has announced ss members Of the Re-
construction Committee the following gentlemen -
Thaa Stoveus Geo g. Boutwell,, John A. Bingham, J.
y ramswor:b, c. l. Huburd r. q. BeauAn, II. C.
Pane, y. A Pike and James Brooks
rssak- OF Congress TO the Cs@ssasder~ Of
the Military Districts.
Resolutions werc adopted in the HOUSE to-day tender
ins the THANKS OF Congress Major Generals Sheridan
scks schoned and Pope for the faithful and patriotic
Der ornAace OF their duties commanders Of their
rsspccttve military distrcta
Yresewanston of tho New Brazilian Miuistcr.
ComnAn1er Don Domingcs Jose Gousslves dc Mag
ahAes today introduced to she President by the
s.crsary Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Peri,,otentsry OF his Majesty the Emperor Of BraziL
Bylors delivering his credentials he made the rcmarks
eef whi<p the fohowing is . uanslation:-
= rr nxrsIpnsr-Thc letter which have the honor
paSs psrS SfsSssy sSsas ssvesesn has d.isned 70
aocsedii here you the qualify Of Envoy Extra
ordinary Win stet Penpotsatiary solemuy express
The consssn, desire which the Rmp<ror chershes to
draw more ceeey together 90 ms on vac rea
aious 81 ansiiersbs friendship and pc. feet harmony,
VIII ch happily exists bets Am erican Powers
ara 10 fces NC seuumenE ot frieadshfp snu VI ns.
csieem Which his Majesty entertains to wards your
honsrcd person. Al for myself Mr. Presil' ent con-
ny sstf very fortunate 10 be entrusted with SO
tir p~tnt and elevated ssion and in the discharge
snrscf shall rodoubie Efforts under the gs sfyng
bopc " gainns your personal good Will.
10 wi ch the President replied as folloxs
Mr. HssALHAEs--In iateiv parting with your estmsrle
,rsdecessor avsiied myself OF the occasion 10 comma
seais through his kindness to the Eupero, Of Brazil
.entimeots Of esteem and good will which animated
peeple az the United States in regard your utter
sSlsg country and her Sovereign. IL s with pleasure
fbnf now rsassurc you Of the sentiments then
expressed Nothing shall be wanting nv part 70
renfsr your residence In the United states Agreeable
trust 10 may be useful TO both couniriss
a Ue.tifatr Colony OF Freedmen Ia Florida.
yhs Sub Assistant Commissioner for the subdistrct