Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-08-15

understood, had hitherto doubted the ex-
istenee of evidence duplicating you in
the assassination conspiracy, and who
formally Intercepted them as to the
matters upon which they had been in
structed, "A.
Butler desired to have taken the depo-
sitions OF these men at the time, but
would not consent to its being done until
] should be released, as at first agreed.
These facts can be proved by these
three persons, and also by my wife,
whose character for truth and veracity
is not inferior TO Mr.. Ashley's; and ]
shall take pleasure, If at liberty, in pro-
duciBg them before any committee OF
tribunal for the impeachment of the
impeachers.
But the evidence of this conspiracy
does not depend entirely upon oral proof.
The letters from Ashley, herewith in
closed, in themselves speak volumes.
What statement b from me could he
have wanted, and for what purpose
Anything it was in my power to state
to him coHld have been stated to him
orally dozen times during his previous
visits to me.
The statement he wanted was this, and
for this purpose; There were many
prominentradicals, and especially among
his own constituents, who were luke
warm on the subject Of impeachment (;
who were not prepared to believe that
you were privy TO the murder of Lincoln,
and whose cooperation was greatly
needed. Ashley, therefore, desired to be
able to place before them assurances
that the most unquestiOnable evil
dence of your guilt could be produced.
He, therefore, requested me to
prepare an elaborate paper, setting forth
that such and such persons could be pro-
dueed who knew and would testify to
this, that and the other thing, including
the pretensions that Booth had been seen
in your room several times, that you had
corresponded with him and with parties
in Richmond; and that the persons who
could testify to these facts were of the
most respectable standing, and would
come forward and tell all they knew, il
protected by the government. He wished
me to put it in q style and tone that
would be sure to carry conviction with
it. He desired, that in addition to the
points of evidence we had conferred
about, my statement should contain
others; and he gave me memorandum
of other points which he requested me
to incorporate in my statement, b
LQELQOEduuuLu II 4
believe, in Matchett's handwriting, A.
After preparing the statement, / sent il
TO him at Toledo, where he wished to
make use of it, lC.l
There is another note from Ashley
enclosed, worthy of attention. 1t is in
pencil, and was written at the office OF
Judge Carter, E. F. After the failure,
/ through the blundering Of Mstchett, to
secure my release at the time promised,
I [ became angry, and used pretty severn
language to Matchett. He went to
Ashley and Butler in alarm, and re-
ported that l was going to expose the
I entire scheme to you.
/ After the persons l had sent for to
/ New York as witnesses had returned,
Matchett endeavored, without my
I knowledge, TO persuade them to come
| here again, and in his letters to two OF
them he thoQghtlessly suggested some
additions tat 1t was desired they should
make to their statements. He made
these suggestions by letter, as his letters
explained, because it was not certain
that he would be here when they should
arrive, or they might meet Judge Bing-
ham, or some of the persons they had
been introduced to when previously
here, before he could see them and give
them their points, and he therefore
wanted them posted"
After my talking to him so severely on
account OF the failure to have me re-
leased at the time promised, d. F. ]
Matchett became frightened, and seemed
to get the idea that / had his letters tC
those parties, and had sent them, OF
copies of them, to you. Possibly, in my
anger, 1 threatened as much. He there
fore made known his fears to Ashley and
Butler, and Ashley endeavOred by this
note TO obtain the letters.
1 have just been ordered to get ready
for the penitentiary.
Very respectfully,
CHAS. A. DUNHAM.
The following are the several papers
which accompany the above. The letters
Of reference inserted in the foregoing and
annexed to the succeeding, are not upon
the originals, but are introduced solely
for your convenience in perusing this
report.
The subjoined paper, headed "memO-
randum," by the hand that wrote it,
bears internal evidence of having been
furnished as a guide to some person OI
persons who were expected to fabricate
corresponding testimony:
IA. A.]-BIEMORANDUM.
Shortly before the inauguration OF
Lincoln and johnson, the latter, through
or in connection with Booth, sent seve-
raj letters to the COnfederacy, one OF
which was intended for Jefferson Davis.
These letters were borne by a messenger
named Allen, who had been acting as q
scout or spy for one of the gnion gene.
rails. Allen was provided with q safe
TAsn
was supposed to have been sent on secret
duty, in connection with his command.
He was also provided with papers from a
rebel emisssry at the north, to ensure
him proper treatment when he should
enter the Confederate lines. After deliv-
ering his mail in Richmond, he returned
bearing several letters which he received
from J. 2. Benjamin. These letters
were inclOsed to Booth. On returning
TO Washington, Allen called on Booth
and delivered the package, and Booth,
after examining some of the letters
went out, as he said, in search of his
messenger. The messenger could not
be found, aud Booth asked Allen if be
was too tired to 90 as far as the Kirk
wood house. Allen replied in the mega
tive, when Booth, drawing forth the
package brought from Richmond, Sc,
lected q letter addressed TO Andrew
johnson, yice-president elect Of the
United States - and asked Allen to de.
liver it. Allen promised to do so, and
then accompanied Booth to the bar room
to first take drink. Here Allen met 8
friend, who was invited to Join them In
taking drink, and afterward accompa.
MED him to the Kirkwood and heard
him INQUIRE if Mr.. Johnson was in, and
saw him go for his (JohnsOn's) room
This friend waited until Allen came
down stairs, when he asked him, jocu.
larly, what in the DEVILS business he
had to do with Johnson-if he was al
ready begging for an office. Allen car
be produced, as well as the friend who
accompanied him to the KirkIoOd from
Booth. Allen, before going to Richmond
had been led by Booth TO believe that be
was a confidential and secret agent fol
the government, and that the letter;
borne by him had reference to peace pro
positions, which would speedily lead to 8
suspension OF hostilities and the restora'
| tion of the union. And, also, that it car
I further be proved by two persons, for
merly rebel soldiers, that Booth, on the
| first or second day before his death, tel
1 in with them near Garrett's, and asked
! their advice and assistance in his efforts
/ to escape. He informed them that be
| bad killed Lincoln, and thereby made {
| good southern man president. One o
/ the parties, whose name is Dawson, saiC
| to him that, il he meant that he haC
made Andy Johnson president he haC
/ done the worst possible thing for th'
/ south, as he was more extreme in hi
/ views, and greater enemy to the soutE
] than Lincoln. Booth replied that it wal
4 a mistake, that johnson, as q eandidat,
and office seeker, had to say grea
many things, but that as president b,
could do as he pleased; that he wa
bound to be friend of the south, anC
that if he went back on him BOOTH ht
would have him hung higher than Ha
man. These men belong to good fsmi
/ lies and bear excellent characters, anC
1 can be produced as witnesses.
Here the paper ends; but the follow
/ ing, which was originally the final clause
| and Is now concluded, Is still legible:
! For the names of Dawson and Allen
used above, leave blanks, or substitute
| the names of such persons as you know
will take their parts.
/ TBl THURSDAY MORNING, April Is, 1867
| Dear Sir: A telegram calls me 4
Philadelphia, and go on the II o'cloel
am. train. 1, therefore, send you al
envelope, in which you can send me by
I mail your statement.
| hope you will be able to put in thu
/ Office this evening, so that / can get i
| by next Monday.
4, Il fHrFl