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Autograph letter signed by Joseph Holt, chief prosecutor of the Abraham Lincoln assassination conspirators, regarding suppression of evidence at the trials by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, such as withholding John Wilkes Booth's diary as evidence. Edwin was also accused of suppressing the confession of conspirator George Atzerodt, who talked about plots to both kidnap and assassinate Lincoln in his confession; Stanton was accused of not wanting the kidnapping plot to distract from the assassination plot.
Datelined Washington, DC on 18 February 1873, Holt writes to John A. Bingham, who served alongside Holt on the prosecution team as Special Judge Advocate. Interesting letter concerns evidence suppressed by Stanton, who was criticized for making the trial a personal vendetta against the conspirators, criticism that negatively impacted Holt's reputation as well. Letter reads in part,
''...It would have been fortunate for me indeed could I have had this testimony in my possession years ago. Mr S[tanton]'s advice to you was, under all the circumstances of the case, most extraordinary. It was neither more nor less, than urging a Suppression of the truth, at the very time, when, alike the interests of public justice, the honor of the military administration & the [illegible] reputation of one of its officers - who was also his personal friend - required that truth to be made public. The asking you to await the final judgment of the people, & at the same time withholding from them the proof on which that judgment - to be just must be formed - was a sad, sad mockery. I wish I could have been spared this revelation; but because it is bitter, I do not thank you the less for having made it...J. Holt''.
Two page letter on bifolium stationery measures 4.875'' x 8.125''. Folds and partial split along center fold. Overall very good plus condition with bold handwriting.