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very useful in that way-a very useful man indeed.

When Mr. Jacob Thompson spoke to me of the assassination, in January of this year, he said he was in favor of the proposition that had been made to him to put the President, Mr. Stanton, General Grant, and others out of the way; but had deferred giving his answer until he had consulted his Government at Richmond, and that he was only waiting their approval. I do not know, of my own knowledge, that he received an answer; my impression, from what Beverly Tucker said, was that he had received their answer and their approval, and that they had been detained waiting for that.

caped prisoners-led by Lieutenant Bennett H. Young; of their attempts and failure to burn the town; and of their robbery of three banks there of the aggregate amount of about $200,000; of their arrest in Canada by United States forces, their commitment, and the pending preliminary trial. There are twelve or fourteen of the twenty-five who have been arrested, and are now in prison at Montreal, where the trial for commitment for extradition is now progressing. A letter from Hon. J. J. N. Abbott, the leading counsel for the prisoners, dated Montreal, 28th October, says to me: "We (prisoners' counsel) all think it quite clear that the facts will not justify a commitment for extradition under the law as it stands, and we conceive the strength of our position to consist in the documents we hold, I am originally from New York City. I establishing the authority of the raiders from received from the Confederate Government, the Confederate States Government. But for going to Gordonsville with those dis- there is no doubt that this authority might patches, equivalent to $150, in greenbacks. be made more explicit than it is, in so far as I reported that fact to the War Department regards the particular acts complained of, and at Washington, and applied it on my ex- I presume the Confederate Government will pense account as having been received consider it to be their duty to recognize offifrom the United States Government. On my cially the acts of Lieutenant Young and his return from Gordonsville, I handed the party, and will find means to convey such original dispatches over to the authorities recognition to the prisoners here, in such a here. All those they selected to go ahead form as can be proven before our courts. If I carried on; all those they did not, they this were accompanied or followed by a deretained.

Cross-examined by MR. AIKEN.

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That paper I received from Clement C. Clay, jr., on the evening of the 1st or 2d of November, 1864. I saw Mr. Clay write a very considerable portion of it myself, and a part of the letter was written with my own pen. It was written in his house, in St. Catherines, Canada West, which, I believe, is on Park Street. I delivered a copy of that letter to the Hon. C. A. Dana, Secretary of War, here in Washington. I was instructed to deliver the original to Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State of the Confederate States, if I could get to Richmond, and to tell him that I was informed of the names that were to be inserted in the blanks in the original letter. There are two or three such blanks left for names. There was no signature to the letter, which was omitted principally for my safety, and also that, in the event of its being seized, it could not be used as evidence against Mr. Clay. Both of these reasons were given to me by Mr. Clay. Mr. Clay left Canada about the 1st of January.

mand upon our Government that the prisoners be set at liberty, I think a good effect would be produced, although probably the application would not be received by the authorities. There will be at least a fortnight's time, and probably more, expended in the ex. amination of witnesses; so that there will be plenty of time for any thing that may be thought advisable to be done in behalf of the prisoners."

I met Mr. Young at Halifax, on my way here, in May last. He showed me letters from men whom I know, by reputation, to be true friends of States' rights, and therefore of Southern independence, vouching for his integrity as a man, his piety as a Christian, and his loyalty as a soldier of the South. After satisfying me that his heart was with us in our struggle, and that he had suffered imprisonment for many months as a soldier of the Confederate States army, from which he had escaped, he developed his plans for retaliating on the enemy some of the injuries and outrages inflicted upon the South. I thought them feasible and fully warranted by the law of nations, and therefore recommended him and his plans to the Secretary of War. He was sent back by the Secretary of War, with [The original of the following letter was then read and a commission as Second Lieutenant, to exeput in evidence:] cute his plans and purposes, but to report to Hon. and myself. We prevented his Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State, Rich-achieving or attempting what I am sure he mond, Virginia : could have done, for reasons which may be SIR: You have doubtless learned, through fully explained hereafter. Finally, disapthe press of the United States, of the raid on pointed in his original purpose and in all the St. Albans, Vermont, by about twenty-five subsequent enterprises projected, he proposed Confederate soldiers-nearly all of them es- to return to the Confederate States, via Hali

ST. CATHERINES, C. W., November 1, 1864.

fax, but passing through the New England by the like course of the United States in States, and burning some towns, and robbing many cases, cited lately in the Canadian pathem of whatever he could convert to the use pers, which I can not now repeat, but which of the Confederate Government. This I ap- you can readily find. The refusal of extraproved as justifiable retaliation. He at-dition would have a salutary political influtempted to burn the town of St. Albans, ence, it is thought, both in the British ProvVermont, and would have succeeded but for inces and in England. I can not now explain the failure of the chemical preparations with why. I trust, therefore, for the sake not only which he was armed. Believing the town of the brave soldiers who attempted this darwas already fired in several places, and must ing exploit, (which has caused a panic throughbe destroyed, he then robbed the banks of all out the United States bordering on Canada, the funds he could find-amounting to more and the organization of forces to resist, as than $200,000. That he was not prompted well as the arbitrary and tyrannous order of by selfish or mercenary motives, and that he General Dix touching the coming Presidential did not intend to convert the funds taken to election,) but, for the sake of our cause and his own use, but to that of the Confederate country, that the President will assume the States, I am as well satisfied as I am that he responsibility of the act of Lieutenant Bennett is an honest man, a true soldier, and patriot; H. Young, and that you will signify it in such and no one who knows him well will ques-form as will entitle it to admission as evidence tion his title to this character. He assured in the pending trial.

me, before going on the raid, that his efforts I send the special messenger who brings would be to destroy towns and farm houses, this, that your answer may be brought back not to plunder or rob; but he said if, after by him within ten days or by 11th instant. firing a town, he saw he could take funds The final judgment can and will be postfrom a bank, or any house, which might in- poned for the action of the Confederate States flict injury on the enemy and benefit his own Government as long as possible-certainly Government, he would do so. He added, for ten days. most emphatically, that whatever he took I avail myself of this opportunity to bring should be turned over to the government or to your notice the case of Captain Charles H. its representatives in foreign lands. My in- Cole, another escaped prisoner of General Forstructions to him, oft repeated, were "to rest's command, who was taken about six destroy whatever was valuable; not to stop weeks since in the Michigan, (the Federal war to rob; but if, after firing a town, he could steamer on Lake Erie,) and is charged with seize and carry off money, or treasury or an attempt at piracy, (for attempting to capbank notes, he might do so, upon condition ture the vessel,) with being a spy, etc. The that they were delivered to the proper au- truth is, that he projected and came very near thorities of the Confederate States." That executing a plan for the capture of that vesthey were not delivered according to his sel and the rescue of the prisoners on Johnpromise and undertaking was owing, I am son's Island. He failed only because of the sure, to the failure of his chemical compound return of the Captain (Carter) of the Michito fire the town, and to the capture of him- gan a day sooner than expected, and the beself and men on Canadian soil, where they trayal (in consequence of C.'s return) of the were surprised and overpowered by superior entire plot. The only plausible ground for numbers from the United States. On show-charging him with being a spy is that he ing me his commission and his instructions was in Sandusky, on Johnson's Island, and from Mr. Seddon-which were, of course, in the Michigan frequently, without having vague and indefinite-he said he was au- on his person the Confederate uniform, but thorized to do all the damage he could to the wearing the dress of a private citizen. Mr. enemy in the way of retaliation. If this be and I have addressed a letter to the true, it seems to me the Confederate States commandant at Johnson's Island, protesting Government should not hesitate to avow his against his being treated as a spy for the act was fully authorized as warrantable re- following reasons: "That he was in the tertaliation. If the Government do not assume ritory of the United States as a prisoner the responsibility of this raid, I think Lieu- against his consent; that he escaped by tenant Y. and his men will be given up to changing his garb; that he had no Confed. the United States authorities. If so, I fear the erate uniform when he visited Sandusky, exasperated and alarmed people of Vermont Johnson's Island, and the Michigan; that he will exert cruel and summary vengeance did not visit them as an emissary from the upon them before they reach the prison at Confederate States; that whatever he conSt. Albans. ceived, he had not executed any thing; that The sympathies of nine-tenths of the Can- he had conveyed no information to his Govadians are with Young and his men; a ma- ernment, and did not contemplate conveying jority of all the newspapers justify or excuse any information to the Government." His his act as merely retaliatory, and they desire trial has been postponed. I know not why, only the authority of the Confederate States or to what time. His exchange should be proGovernment for it to refuse their extradition. posed, and notice given that any punishment The refusal of extradition is fully warranted inflicted on him will be retaliated upon an

officer of equal rank. He is a very brave| and daring soldier and patriot, and deserves the protection of his Government.

I

WILLIAM H. ROHRER.
For the Prosecution.-June 13.

I wrote to you on the 14th of June; to the I am acquainted with Clement C. Clay, jr., President, 25th July; and to you again on the formerly of the United States Senate. I have 11th August and 12th September last. had opportunities for becoming well acquainttrust you received those letters. Mr. Hed with his handwriting. I have examined (who, I see, has gotten into the Confederate the paper that has been testified to by Richard States) has doubtless explained things here. Montgomery, and from memory and comI have never received a line from you or any it the writing of Clement C. Clay. parison, I have no hesitation in pronouncing person, except my brother, at Richmond.

SANFORD CONOVER.

For the Prosecution.-May 20.

I have not changed the views expressed in my former communications. All that a large portion of the Northern people-especially in the North-west-want to resist the oppres- I was born in New York, and educated sions of the despotism at Washington, is a there. Since October last, I have resided in leader. They are ripe for resistance, and it Montreal, Canada. Previous to that, I remay come soon after the Presidential election, sided a short time in Baltimore. Before that, At all events, it must come, if our armies are I was conscripted, from near Columbia, S. C., not overcome and destroyed or dispersed. into the rebel service, but was detailed as a No people of the Anglo-Saxon blood can clerk, and served as such in the rebel War long endure the usurpations and tyrannies Department at Richmond, for upward of six of Lincoln. Democrats are more hated by months. Mr. James A. Seddon was at that Northern Republicans than Southern rebels, time the rebel Secretary of War. I "ran the and will be as much outraged and persecuted blockade" from Richmond, by walking most if Lincoln is re-elected. They must yield to of the way. I rode on the cars to Hanover a cruel and disgraceful despotism or fight. Junction, and from there walked up through They feel it and know it. Snickersville to Charlestown, Va., and from there to Harper's Ferry, and so on.

While in Canada, I was intimately acquainted with George N. Sanders, Jacob Thompson, Clement C. Clay, Dr. Blackburn,

I do not see that I can achieve any thing by remaining longer in this Province, and, unless instructed to stay, shall leave here by 20th instant for Halifax, and take my chances for running the blockade. If I am to stay Beverly Tucker, William C. Cleary, Lewis till spring, I wish my wife to join me under flag of truce, if possible. I am afraid to risk a winter's residence in this latitude and climate.

I need not sign this. The bearer and the person to whom it is addressed can identify

me.

But I see no reasons why your response should not be signed and sealed, so as to make it evidence, as suggested, in respect to the St. Albans' raid. A statement of prisoners' counsel has been sent by way of Halifax and Wilmington, but it may never reach you, or not in time for the deliverance of the prisoners. This is my chief reason for sending this by one I can trust. Please reply promptly, and start the messenger back as soon as possible. He will explain the character of his mission. Send under a seal that can not be broken without being discovered. I am respectfully, your most obedient

servant.

N. B. See the Secretary of War (Mr. Seddon) touching Young's case.

Castleman, Rev. M. Cameron, Mr. Porterfield, Captain Magruder, General Frost of Missouri, General Carroll of Tennessee, and a number of others of less note. Of the ac cused who visited these persons, I knew John Wilkes Booth and John H. Surratt. Booth I saw but once. That was in the latter part of October last. I think I saw him with Sanders, and also at Mr. Thompson's. I saw him principally about the St. Lawrence Hall. He was strutting about there, dissipating, playing billiards, etc.

Surratt I saw in Montreal somewhere about the 6th or 7th of April last, on several successive days. Surratt is a man of about five feet, nine, ten, or eleven inches; a spare man, light complexioned, and light hair. I saw him in Mr. Thompson's room; and, from the conversation, Surratt had just brought dis patches from Richmond to Mr. Thompson, to which their conversation referred. One dispatch was from Mr. Benjamin, the rebel Secretary of State, and there was also a letter, I think in cipher, from Mr. Davis. I had previously had some conversation with Mr. Thompson on the subject of the plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln and his Cabinet, and I had been invited by Mr. Thompson to participate in the enterprise.

Recalled for the Prosecution.-June 13. The time occupied to go by rail from Montreal to Washington City, is between thirtysix and thirty-eight hours. The train which leaves Montreal at 3 o'clock in the afternoon On the occasion when Surratt brought the connects with trains for Washington, so that dispatches, Thompson laid his hand on them a person leaving at 3 o'clock on the afternoon and said, "This makes the thing all right," of the 12th, would certainly reach Washing- referring to the assent of the rebel authori ton before daylight on the morning of the 14th. ties. Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Johnson, the Secre

TESTIMONY OF SANFORD CONOVER.

tary of War, the Secretsry of State, Judge that they were rebel soldiers, and to be pro-
Chase, and General Grant were to be victims tected and treated as prisoners of war. Booth,
I believe, was specially commissioned for the
of this plot.
assassination project. The commission of
Bennett H. Young was of this sort, and was
filled up and conferred by Mr. Clay.

Mr. Thompson said, on one of these occasions, that it would leave the Government entirely without a head. That there was no On the day before, or the very day of the provision in the Constitution of the United States by which, if these men were removed, assassination, I had a conversation with Mr. Mr. Wm. C. Cleary, at the St. Lawrence Hotel, they could elect another President. Welles (Secretary of the Navy) was also in Montreal. We were speaking of the reand named; but Mr. Thompson said it was not joicings in the States over the surrender of Lee and the capture of Richmond, etc, worth while to kill him. My first interview with Mr. Thompson Cleary remarked that they would put the was at his room, in the St. Lawrence Hall laugh on the other side of their mouth in a Hotel, Montreal, in the early part of February day or two. The conspiracy was talked of last. I had called on him to make some at that time about as commonly as one would inquiry about the intended raid on Ogdensburg, speak of the weather. Before this I had a conversation with N. Y., which had failed because the United States Government had received intimation George N. Sanders, who asked me if I knew of the intentions of the rebels, and were pre- Booth very well. He expressed some apprepared for it. Mr. Thompson said, "We will hension that Booth would make a fizzle of have to drop it for a time, but we will catch it; that he was dissipated and reckless, and them asleep yet." And he added, "There is he was afraid the whole thing would prove a better opportunity, a better chance to im- a failure. mortalize yourself and save your country."

While in Canada I was a correspondent I told him I was ready to do any thing to of the New York Tribune. I communicated save the country, and asked what was to be to the New York Tribune the contemplated done. He said, "Some of our boys are go-assassination of the President and the ining to play a grand joke on Abe and Andy." tended raid on Ogdensburg. The assassinaThis led to explanations, when he informed tion plot they declined to publish, because me it was to kill them, or rather "to remove they had been accused of publishing sensathem from office." He said it was only re- tion stories. The plot of the assassination I moving them from office; that the killing of communicated in March last, and also in a tyrant was no murder. Thompson had February, I think; certainly before the 4th blank commissions, and he told me then, of March. I saw John H. Surratt in Montreal, about or subsequently, that he had conferred one on Booth; that he had been commissioned, the 7th to the 9th of April, within four or and that everybody that engaged in the enter-five days of the assassination of the Presiprise would be commissioned; so that, if it dent. From the whole of his conversation I succeeded or failed, if they escaped to Canada, inferred that he was to take his part in the I do they could not be successfully claimed under conspiracy on the President and his Cabinet, whatever that conspiracy might be. the Extradition Treaty. not remember that I heard any thing said about money or compensation, but it was always well understood that there was plenty At the time of this conversation I of money where there was any thing to be done. understood that John H. Surratt was just from Richmond.

I know, of my own personal knowledge, that the commission conferred on Bennett H. Young, the St. Albans' raider, was a blank commission, filled up and conferred by Mr. Clay. The name attached to it, when it came into the hands of these men from Richmond, was that of James A. Seddon, In the conversation I had with Mr. Secretary of War. I saw this commission, and I was asked by Mr. Thompson as to the Thompson in February, he said that killing genuineness of Seddon's signature, having a tyrant in such a case was no murder. He been a clerk in his department. I testified asked me if I had ever read the work entibefore Judge Smith, in the presence of Mr. tled "Killing, no Murder," a letter addressed Thompson, Sanders, Young, and Mr. Abbot, by Col. Titus to Oliver Cromwell. Mr. Hamthe counsel in the case, that the signature lin was also to have been included had the of Seddon was genuine. I am well ac- scheme been carried out before the 4th of quainted with the handwriting of James A. Seddon, and know that the blank commission was in his handwriting.

March. In the conversation in April, Mr.
Hamlin was omitted, and Vice-President
Johnson put in his place.

There was a proposition before these parThese commissions were left blank, except the signature of Seddon, the rebel Secretary ties to destroy the Croton Dam, by which the of War; the names were filled up in Canada. City of New York is supplied with water. It These commissions were conferred at pleasure was supposed it would not only damage the upon those who engaged in any enterprise, manufactories, but distress the people generand it was understood to be a cover, so that ally very much. Mr. Thompson remarked in case they were detected they could claim that they would have plenty of fires, and

the whole city would soon be destroyed by a few days. That was early in February. It general conflagration, without sending any was in April, in Surratt's presence, that he Kennedy or anybody else there; and, he referred to the dispatches that had been readded, if they had thought of this scheme ceived from Richmond, part of which were before, they might have saved some necks. in cipher, as having furnished the assent. That was said a few weeks ago, when Mr. Thompson, Sanders, Castleman, Gen. Carroll, and myself were present.

Recalled for the Prosecution.-May 22,

The Dr. Blackburn to whom I referred in I heard a great deal of talk about the my previous testimony, is the same that attempted descent upon Chicago last year; packed a number of trunks with infected that they had some eight hundred men con- clothing, for the purpose of introducing pescealed there; their object, as stated by tilence into the States. I have seen him Thompson and others, was the release of associating with Jacob Thompson, George the rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas.

Cross-examined by MR. DOSTER.

I do not think I ever saw either of the prisoners, Atzerodt or Payne, in Canada.

Cross-examined by Mr. AIKEN.

N. Sanders, his son, Lewis Sanders, Ex-Gov. Westcott of Florida, Lewis Castleman, William C. Cleary, Mr. Porterfield, Capt. Magruder, and a number of rebels of less note. Dr. Blackburn was there known and represented himself as an agent of the so-called Confederate Government, just as Jacob Thompson I left Richmond to go North in December, was an agent. In June last, I knew of Dr. 1863. I afterward, while in Washington, Blackburn's trying to employ Mr. John became a correspondent of the New York Cameron, who lived in Montreal, to accomTribune, and in October of last year I went pany him to Bermuda, for the purpose of to Canada in that capacity. I received com- taking charge of goods infected with yellow pensation for my services as correspondent to fever to bring to the cities of New York, the Tribune, but have never received any pay Philadelphia, and, I understood, Washington. from the Government, nor the promise of Cameron declined to go, being fearful of any, nor have I ever received any pay from taking the yellow fever and dying himself. the Confederate Government. The parties in Compensation to the amount of several Canada did not know that I corresponded thousand dollars, he told me, had been of with the Tribune. I was freely admitted to fered him, which I understood was to be their meetings and enjoyed their confidence. paid by Dr. Blackburn, or by other rebel My reason for communicating the intended agents. Mr. Jacob Thompson, I understood, assassination to the Tribune, and not directly was the moneyed agent; the others drew on to the Government, was that I supposed that him for what money they required. There the relations between the editor and propri- were other parties in Montreal that Dr. etor of the Tribune and the Government were Blackburn employed, or endeavored to emsuch, that they would lose no time in giving ploy, whom I knew by sight, but do not rethem information on the subject. In regard member their names. There were two medto the conspiracy, as well as to some other ical students. I heard Blackburn say that secrets of the rebels in Canada, I requested he went from Montreal to Bermuda, or some Mr. Gay of the Tribune to give information of the West India Islands, about a year ago to the Government, and I believe he has formerly done so.

I met John H. Surratt in Mr. Thompson's room, and once in Mr. Sander's room. I spoke to Surratt, asking him what changes there were in Richmond, and how the place looked. While in Canada I went by the name of James Watson Wallace.

last June, for the express purpose of attending cases of yellow fever, and collecting infected clothing, and forwarding it to New York, but for some reason the scheme failed. On one occasion, I remember, Jacob Thompson, Mr. Cleary, and, I think, Lewis Sanders, were present when Dr. Blackburn spoke of his enterprise. They all favored it, and were all very much interested in it.

I heard the burning of the City of New York discussed by these parties, but I knew It was proposed to destroy the Croton Dam no particulars until after the attempt had at New York. Dr. Blackburn proposed to been made. I never heard the name of Mary poison the reservoirs, and made a calculaE. Surratt mentioned in any one of these tion of the amount of poisonous matter it conferences.

Cross-examined by MR. Cox.

would require to impregnate the water so far as to render an ordinary draught poisonous and deadly. He had taken the capacity In February, I think it was, I heard the of the reservoirs, and the amount of water project of capturing the President and carry- that was generally kept in them. Strychnine, ing him off to Richmond talked of. When arsenic, prussic acid, and a number of others Mr. Thompson first suggested that I should were spoken of as the poisons which he proparticipate in the attempted assassination, I posed to use. Blackburn regarded the asked if it would meet with the approbation scheme as feasible; Mr. Thompson, howof the Government at Richmond; he said he ever, feared it would be impossible to collect thought it would, but he would know in a so large a quantity of poisonous matter

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