Louis Weichmann

[Pamela]

I found Aiken's statement in Weichmann and he stopped short of saying she was never manacled, although it was implied. Hartranft absolutely denied she was ever manacled, in a letter to Holt written in 1873, also in Weichmann. Holt submitted Hartranft's letter for publication in response to false stories being spread by John T. Ford and others. P 293-294 : Aiken, "...at no time during her unlawful trial was Mrs. Surratt manacled, either on her wrists or her ankles, while in the presence of the Court. I not only speak from my own absolute knowledge, but from recollection of Mrs. Surratt's oft-repeated statements to me that she was not manacled."

It was implied because he included her "oft-repeated statements" to him and she wouldn't have to tell him about what he could see for himself in court. That's what makes logical sense to me.

Hartranft, "Dear Sir: My attention having been directed to a letter dated Washington, August 29, 1873, and signed "Truth," that appeared in the New York Tribune a few days since, I think it proper, in justice to you, to declare publicly that it's statements as far as they relate to occurrances within my own observation, are absolute falsehoods.

As Marshall of the Court before whom the conspirators were tried, I had charge of Mrs. Surratt before, during and after the time of her trial, in all a period of about two months; during which she never had a manacle or manacles on either hands or feet; and the thought of manacling her was not, to my knowledge, ever entertained by anyone in authority...."

It was John Ford who wrote "Truth".