Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-04

come. can, however, state generally that
their instructions covered the following du-
ties:
First-The relief of Confederates confined
In northern prisons, and the transportation
to the Confederacy of such as might escape
to the provinces.
Second-The observation of military move
ments In the north and communications there
upon to the authorities at Richmond.
neutrality-suspicious. with Messrs. Sill
dell and Mason and other agents in Europe.
Fourth-Tne cultivation and development
OF the peace sentiment among the northern
people.
These objects-peaceable and legitimate in
their character-would, but for the military
disasters which befell the south, have been
manifested In results. There was nothing In
the instructions or conduct of the commits
sioners violative of the neutrality assumed by
Great Britain, and while in the war the Con-
federate States had TO fight all the world, yet
the comm ssioners scrupulously observed
their obligations to the country where they
were sheltered.
Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Norway,
Switzerland and the Indian tribes sent for
ward their thousands, and united them In
great numbers with our own slaves and rem
egades to subjugate and destroy our people,
and England indifferently allowed the con-
tinuance of blockade, clearly illegal accord
ing to their solemn treaty, to interrupt and
destroy our commerce.
Shortly after the assassination of Mr.. Lin
coin, the Canadian government caused in
dictments to be found in the court of queen s
bench at Toronto against Colonel Thompson,
Mr.. Clay and myself, charging US with a vio-
lation of the neutrality laws of Great Britain,
alleging the organization, equipment, etc,
of the raids made upon st. Adams, Lake
Erie, etc, but though ! lived at Toronto for
tour years thereafter, the cases were never
brought to trial, and were finally tollied by
order of the Canadian law officers. Messrs.
Clay and Holcomb left Canada and returned
soutlr in December, 1864. Colonel Thomp-
son remained until after General Lees sur
render and the murder of Mr.. Lincoln.
DENIES THE CONSULTATIONS.
Reporter-What have you to say, if any
thing specifically, in reference to tie state
ment In one of George Alfred Townsend s
letters to the Enquirer that Booth and his
confederates had consultations with the Cam
ada agents of the Confederacy?
Answer-Well, he must have made his
statement from the testimony OF Conover and
Merritt. As to myself never saw Booth in
Canada. In fact, L have no recollection of
ever having seen him but once IN my life,
and that was great many years ago on the
stage at Cincinnati in the character of "Pes-
cara" in The Apostate. l am very certain
that Colonel Thompson never saw Booth in
Canada or had any communication with him,
and have most positive belief that the same
can be truly said as to Messrs Holcomb and
Clay. Mr.. Holcomb left Canada on his re-
turn to the south about the first of Septem-
Der, and Mr.. Clay early In December of 1864
"Gath s" statements have their web and
wool In the massof perjuries above referred
to.
STANTON AND THOMPSON.
Reporter-Did your commission ever re-
celve encouragement from the north in its
efforts for a cessation of the war? Can you
relate any circumstances of prominence going
to show that the United States govern
ment harbored any notions of peace upon any
basis except that of conquest?
Answer-On the sixteenth of August, 1864,
a distinguished citizen of the United States
visited Hon. Jacob Thompson, at Toronto, at
the instance of Stanton. He said that in a
conversation few days previously, Stanton
had told him that it was perfectly evident
Lincon would be beaten for the Presidency
unless something could be done, and thatin
that event he and the members of his cabinet
would be treated with great contumely and
insult on every hand, if not suffer great per-
sonal indignities and dangers, and that, there
fore, Stanton had desired him to visit Mr..
Thompson and ascertain his views with ref
erence to peace. 1t is this man Stanton who,
once trembling with the fear of assassination
from his own outraged people, becomes few
uOulus ldlcI tuc upJusI dCCuser Oh tne very
man to whom his craven fears had been by
his own desire communicated.
Reporter-Are you willing to give the
name of this distinguished emissary of the
Lincoln government? Is he still living and
in polIticsP
Answer have stated the facts to you,
and do not feel authorized to make any fur
Their statement. 1t is with great reluctance
that | appear in print at all on the subject,
and only say the little l have said because it
seems unjust to innocent men to silently suf-
fer their names to be blackened. None of
the eminent gentlemen accused. first by
President Johnson, on the authority of Joe
Holt. and now by your brilliant correspond
emit on the authority of his own exuberant
fancy. have ever yet seen fit to break their
dignifed silence.
Reporter-Will you, some day soon, favor
us with some of the romantic, exciting, pleas
ing, amusing or otherwise interesting incl
dents of the life and adventures of the peace
commission?
Answer-There is great deal of the kind
or kinds you specify that has never yet seen
print, land would make highly entertaining
reading. 1t will give me pleasure at some
convenient early day to comply with the
EnOuit.er's request