Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-24

YOU will rememb Der, was kept in carroll
Prison ten days or so before being re-
moved to the arsenal, succeeded In cor.
responding with some Of her friends.
She wrote to her son John mot to be
alarmed about her, not to have any sp
prehensons concerning her own safety,
and not to allow himself TO be captured
She was so we'll aware Of the excitement
in the country, and of the prejudice
against every body associated with Booth,
that she desised to keep her son out OF
the way. She had no need of him which
she did not hold subordinate to his con :
fort and safety. She was sure that she
would get clear at last from an unjust
charge; therefore she did not anticipate
that she would lack the sad consolation
of bidding him last farewell. Mother
like, her only anxiety was for him; and
he, convinced that he could 10 her ne
good, but that his own capture and the
testimony that might be adduced to show
his connection with the abduction plot
might be the death of him and tend to
ipjure bis mothers chances, stayed
away.
my conviction Of Mrs. Surrstt's inno-
cence," Mr.. Ford went on to say, lis the
result, not so much of comparison of
testimony of the witnesses at the trial,
ss of personal observation and conversa-
ton with some of those witnesses, and
of what I have known and heard since
the trial of Mrs. Surratt herself. 1t is
the result also of my belief that Booth
had not made up his mind TO the assas-
sinstion until after he saw Mrs Surratt,
aud after he had heard the announcement
that Lincoln and Grant were to be at the
theater at night, from my brother Harry,
early that afternoon. IL is the result, in
6ne, on reflection upon all the circum-
stances have related to you, of others
which / may note as we proceed, and OF
nv study of the character of Mrs Sur
RAFT and that of the witnesses against
her."
GLet me here interrupt the course Of
Mr.. Ford's remarks TO admit my inabil-
ity to recollect his thoughtful and we'll
chosen language, and to convey to you
the peculiar impression wrought upon
me both by his words and his manner
an impression that he had studied this
subject with the interest of a fne-hearted
gentleman while he was a prisoner, and
with good deal of the interest of q phi
losopher since be was released, and since
the excitement which attended the assas-
sination died away ]
"Divesied Of the false Interpretation Of
it, which was trumped up at the trial,
said Mr.. Ford, "Mrs. Surratts trip to
preceding the assassination,
was a perfectly legitimate, ordinary af-
fair. As recall the gist of it now, it
was in this wise: A part of the old Sur
raft properly had been purchased from
the Calverts. When Surrstt (Mrs. Sur
rats husband) died, he left debt due
on the property to Hon. Charles B. Cal
vert, of Maryland, well known member
Of Congress about eight years ago. At
ter this Charles B. Calvert died, his exec
ulors pressed Mrs. Surrstt for payment
of the debt. The week of the assassina-
tion she received two.letters from them,
reminding her of her husbands obliga-
ton. A debt was due her from a man
named Mott, in the neighborhood of the
estate. On Good Friday she spoke TO
Weichman in regard to the claim that
was being pressed upon her, end said:
We must 90 down aud collect the money
10 pay it, Weichman's journey with
her to Surrattsville, and her alleged con-
yersation with the tenant Lloyd, who kept
he tavern there, were fastened upon by
he prosecution as proofs that Mrs. Sur
att went to arrange with Lloyd IN order
hat he should he prepared, with uten-
ills, to receive Booth, Payne and Harold
he night of the assassination, when they
,houd pass though the village Several
were avowed to have been
ised on that occasion indicative of her |
,uilt.
"That all this testimony was fabricated |
or otherwise, do not for a |
doubt So far as Weichman's
estimony was concerned, it was not en-
tiled to credeuce. Weichmsn was
witness at first, and bullied
he was afraid for his own
ife while in prison, afraid of his shadow,
cared by threat, startled by noise
His weak brain was hemmed round by
lorrors. 1t was not consciousness of
Iuilt. but terror lest be might be accused
nd hung for nothing, that overwhelmed
lin. He was a target for the jests Of
he others in prison, and dough to be
,neaded in any willy aud too, eager law
-ers hands. Ask him, cosxingly, If so
md so did not trsnspire, and be would
ay-believiDg that by saying It he
Issisted to save his neck-tbat 1t did
ranspire. Ask him, sternly, IT such or
uch thing did happen, and he would
espoud, in the fanciei interest Of his
Ieck, that it did nothing Of the kind. he
ras not q cold-blooded perjurer; be was
MY q coward. Here are one or two iu-
which revealed to me what
eeble-minded, unfortunate Abettor Of .
udicisl crime this Weichmsn was.
"He came 10 me Ia prison one day
18th the white face be alssys bad, snd
Did me that when be vas before Stanton
few days after the assassination, Stan
On said TO him: The Presidents blood
just IS much on your hands as
'ooih'sl' Although this Ess q mere
cure Of speech BY Stanton, Weichmsn
ad turned it over in bis head 20 often
iat IL seemed 10 have Almost convinced
iu that the Presidents blccd VS. on
10 hands, or, at least, that . cord VS.
repaired for him, Willy nilly. Wss such
person likely 70 Be q reliable vitnessf
"0n another ocsasion, after The trial