Conspiracy in Canada

[John Stanton]

Laurie. You are describing one of the traits of the "Doctor Line" - "Secret Line" -Mail Line"(your choice) Everyone knew each other. There was no need for "High-signs", "Hand shakes", Badges, etc. They were related in some way. This description is not contrary to another description I have favored, That "any agent knew only who sent the traverler to him and to whom he was to sene that traveler.

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Here's a bit more on Martin. Most of this is not news to you, but it helps with the chronological roder of events. We left Martin and his family in Baltimore in 1860. In 1861 he became involved with running the blockade. With his background as a "liquor dealer", I have to believe he became a "rum-runner". At some point be incurred the wrath of the Federal Government for what was said to be PIRACY on the Chesapeake Bay. I wish I could be more factual, and less vague, I have no choice. I have factual reports, but no confirmation. We may find the truth. Martin moved to Canada, along with his wife and Family. This may explain why we are unable to find records of his activity in the archives of the US. This entry into Canada is long befoe the arrival of Thompson, Clay, Cleary etc. I doubt that Martin was there as an assignment - he was merely hiding out.
In 1864, he began to make his move as a representative of the Rebs. In early summera group of irritated Maryland Planters to discuss a way to oppose the Federal Troops, in MAryland, that were stealing their freed Slaves. I need Laurie to jump in here to explain this situation. Maryland had freed thier slaves before the emancipation proclamation, but expected to be compensated for the loss. Then the Feds began to recruit the slaves - forceably. Patrick C. Martin was at this meeting. Why was he there ?????? I have to guess and say - he was known to these people, and he could represent Confederates.
In July, Booth was in Boston and met with 3 Confederates from Canada and ONE FROM BALTIMORE. The thinking is, that the one from Baltimore was Martin. I cannot accept that fully. The odd man could have been George P. Kane - the former Provost Marshal of Baltimore. I think that Martin had been in Canada for so long that he would be considered to be from Canada. But Kane was not known as "From Canada". (I don't know when Kane Moved to Canada, so he could have come from either place). It's an easy stretch to say Martin and or Kane. I base this on the fact that Kane lived with the Martin family when he was in Canada. Together, they developed some "diry tricks" , such as those that made the agents in Canada very famous. (Not infamous - FAMOUS). One Kane/Martin party was the release of the prisoners on Johnson Island. Part of that plan involved Mrs. Patrick C. Martin. She went to Johnson Island to alert the prisoners of the impending attempt.
By Oct. Martin was back in Canada -lucky for Booth that he was ther. Booth needed some one up there that he could trust. Thr one person that he knew was Martin- from his pre-war days in Baltimore. (quote Ed Steers, Jr.) I don't nee to tell you about the Oct 27 trip to the Bank of Onterio and the money manipulation they managed, nor about the letters of introductio that Martin provided to Booth.
Here's a bit of gossip - - - While Booth was in Montreal, he lived part time with the Martin family and took a likeing to Martin's 19 year old daughter, Margaret Martin.
More as I find it------