Lincoln Lincoln assassination

[Hunter]

Who funded the assassination of Lincoln and the attempts on Johnson and Seward? Confederate government? Private individuals? Please name names and the basis of your statement.

 

[Northern Light]

How do we know that they had any funding?

 

[Hunter]

How do we know that they had any funding?

In the months leading up to the assassination, each of the conspirators told their friends and family members that that they were involved in something big that would make them rich. After the assassination, the federal government accused the Confederate government of providing the financial inducements.

 

[Northern Light]

In the months leading up to the assassination, each of the conspirators told their friends and family members that that they were involved in something big that would make them rich. After the assassination, the federal government accused the Confederate government of providing the financial inducements.

Perhaps they thought that wealth would come from the notoriety of having killed the President, through tours, etc. Booth was certainly delusional enough to have told them that. He thought Lincoln's death would make him a great hero.
As to the federal government, they were looking for someone to blame. Was there any proof to support their accusations? They certainly didn't act on it if they did have.

 

[Karacivilwarchild]

on the history Chanel it said something the KGC might have funded lincoln's assassination

 

[brass napoleon]

I heard it was KFC.

(Sorry, couldn't resist. )

 

[Patrick H]

I f there is truly evidence that the conspiracy was funded up front, then I would also like to know. That having been said, even though we know there was an assassination conspiracy, I think I sense a deeper conspiracy theory in the works here. No disrespect meant to our original poster. I'm just not buying the premise without further evidence.

 

[Sons of Liberty]

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lincolnconspiracy/davisevidence.html

The above link has an interesting take on this subject. Was old Jeff to blame? Sounds like one for the history detectives.

 

[Hunter]

I f there is truly evidence that the conspiracy was funded up front, then I would also like to know. That having been said, even though we know there was an assassination conspiracy, I think I sense a deeper conspiracy theory in the works here. No disrespect meant to our original poster. I'm just not buying the premise without further evidence.

No offense taken. In 2009, a book titled "Lincoln Assassination: The Evidence" was published by the University of Illinois Press reprinting all of the statements and other documents generated during the investigation in the wake of the assassination. Anyone who reads that evidence will conclude that money was the motivation of the assassins; a lot of money. My post was simply to solicit opinions about the source of that money. The federal government assumed that it was the Confederacy and arrested and imprisoned Jefferson Davis, C.C. Clay, and others. Ultimately, however, the investigators were unable to prove their case against them, begging the question: who did fund it?

So, if you doubt the premise, please read the evidence. If you have other evidence refuting the premise, or an opinion about the source of the money, please share it.

 

[Patrick H]

No offense taken. In 2009, a book titled "Lincoln Assassination: The Evidence" was published by the University of Illinois Press reprinting all of the statements and other documents generated during the investigation in the wake of the assassination. Anyone who reads that evidence will conclude that money was the motivation of the assassins; a lot of money. My post was simply to solicit opinions about the source of that money. The federal government assumed that it was the Confederacy and arrested and imprisoned Jefferson Davis, C.C. Clay, and others. Ultimately, however, the investigators were unable to prove their case against them, begging the question: who did fund it?

So, if you doubt the premise, please read the evidence. If you have other evidence refuting the premise, or an opinion about the source of the money, please share it.

Okay, Hunter. You have intrigued me. I will look it up and read it. I'll tell you that I will start somewhat skeptically, but I will try real hard to remain open minded. It sounds like it would AT LEAST be a very entertaining read.

Thank you for not being offended and for standing your ground. These energetic discussions (even when some of us can't agree) are at the very heart of a good discussion board--don't you agree?

 

[John Winn]

I have not read the book you note. However, I have read several others having to do with the assassination and they don't make the claim that there was big money involved (I'm not saying there wasn't). You seem to imply that some person(s) with money sought out assassins and that's how it came to be rather than just a few malcontents deciding to do the deed. Again, I've not seen a contention that money precipitated the deed but I will say that if such did happen I doubt the Confederate government could have funded the assassination as it was really a done deal by then. I'll also say that it was seemingly not an operation that needed a lot of money to happen as it was basically a few guys attacking some targets one-on-one with knives and hand guns. Seems like a well-funded attempt might have done better than that.

I'm interested in hearing what folks have to say but am not ready to read a book at this point so will just wait to see what transpires.

 

[War Horse]

I f there is truly evidence that the conspiracy was funded up front, then I would also like to know. That having been said, even though we know there was an assassination conspiracy, I think I sense a deeper conspiracy theory in the works here. No disrespect meant to our original poster. I'm just not buying the premise without further evidence.

There is no evidence. Strong evidence exists that Davis didn't learn of the assassination until days after. He having no love of Lincoln still considered it bad for the southern cause.

 

[War Horse]

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lincolnconspiracy/davisevidence.html

The above link has an interesting take on this subject. Was old Jeff to blame? Sounds like one for the history detectives.

View attachment 100924

No, he was not.

 

[mobile_96]

In the months leading up to the assassination, each of the conspirators told their friends and family members that that they were involved in something big that would make them rich.

You have a problem here. In the months leading up to the assassination, the real plot was to Kidnap Lincoln. The conspirators likely assumed they would be able to collect some huge sum, likely (hopefully?) from the Confederate Government.
With the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee, an enraged Booth changed the plot of kidnapping to murdering the President, Seward, and others. So far, I've read of nothing indicating that the Confederate Government had anything to do with directing or funding, the kidnapping of Lincoln. Or, that Booth entertained any other plan than the kidnapping. If there is proof of these, I'd like to be able to read the material, that some accurate historian, or scholar has brought forth.
Of course, I could be wrong, and, if so, await the evidence that will prove it!

 

[Hunter]

Okay, Hunter. You have intrigued me. I will look it up and read it. I'll tell you that I will start somewhat skeptically, but I will try real hard to remain open minded. It sounds like it would AT LEAST be a very entertaining read.

Thank you for not being offended and for standing your ground. These energetic discussions (even when some of us can't agree) are at the very heart of a good discussion board--don't you agree?

Absolutely. It is the best way to reach the correct conclusion as long as everyone looks at the evidence instead of relying on their preconceived notions.

 

[Hunter]

No, he was not.

I agree with you.

 

[Hunter]

I have not read the book you note. However, I have read several others having to do with the assassination and they don't make the claim that there was big money involved (I'm not saying there wasn't). You seem to imply that some person(s) with money sought out assassins and that's how it came to be rather than just a few malcontents deciding to do the deed. Again, I've not seen a contention that money precipitated the deed but I will say that if such did happen I doubt the Confederate government could have funded the assassination as it was really a done deal by then. I'll also say that it was seemingly not an operation that needed a lot of money to happen as it was basically a few guys attacking some targets one-on-one with knives and hand guns. Seems like a well-funded attempt might have done better than that.

I'm interested in hearing what folks have to say but am not ready to read a book at this point so will just wait to see what transpires.

The reason the money issue is left out of many of the books on Lincoln's assassination is that most (not all) of the historians who wrote them cannot let go of the myth that Booth shot Lincoln because Lincoln advocated black suffrage in his last speech. The facts get in the way of the myth.

Your assertion that the execution of the plot does not reflect that it was well-funded has superficial appeal, but they probably picked the best way to do it. The money was to undertake what was likely a suicide mission in the first place. The book is always there if you doubt it.

 

[War Horse]

The reason the money issue is left out of many of the books on Lincoln's assassination is that most (not all) of the historians who wrote them cannot let go of the myth that Booth shot Lincoln because Lincoln advocated black suffrage in his last speech. The facts get in the way of the myth.

Your assertion that the execution of the plot does not reflect that it was well-funded has superficial appeal, but they probably picked the best way to do it. The money was to undertake what was likely a suicide mission in the first place. The book is always there if you doubt it.

Not likely. We are talking about the most written about event in American history. What makes this account more creditable than others?

 

[Hunter]

You have a problem here. In the months leading up to the assassination, the real plot was to Kidnap Lincoln. The conspirators likely assumed they would be able to collect some huge sum, likely (hopefully?) from the Confederate Government.
With the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee, an enraged Booth changed the plot of kidnapping to murdering the President, Seward, and others. So far, I've read of nothing indicating that the Confederate Government had anything to do with directing or funding, the kidnapping of Lincoln. Or, that Booth entertained any other plan than the kidnapping. If there is proof of these, I'd like to be able to read the material, that some accurate historian, or scholar has brought forth.
Of course, I could be wrong, and, if so, await the evidence that will prove it!

Sure. On the issue of kidnapping vs. assassination, take a look at "American Brutus, " which was written by one of the foremost experts in the field. I do not agree with everything the author says, but do agree with him that the story of the kidnapping plot was a fabrication. In order to avoid being hung, the conspirators on trial and their lawyers blamed Lincoln's assassination on Booth alone. They did this by claiming they were only involved in a kidnapping conspiracy, but that Booth changed his mind late in the game and they did not go along with it.

Like you, I have seen no evidence the Confederate government authorized any adverse action against Lincoln, Seward, or Johnson. That is not to say that no rogue officials were involved in the plot.

 

[Hunter]

Not likely. We are talking about the most written about event in American history. What makes this account more creditable than others?

It is not an "account" or interpretation of evidence. It is the evidence itself.