The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-07-14
THE UNION &c JOURNAL,
CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON. D. O.. July 10, 1865.

TUE EXECUTION OF THE coNsrfRAfoRs.
The closing scene in the great drama OF
the assassination was enacted in this city on
Friday the 9Th inst. and Mrs. Surratt,
George A. Atzerodt, Lewis T. Payne and Da-
yid G. Harold, the chief conspirators in the
murder Of President Lincoln, suffered the ex-
treme penalty Of the law, and were changed
by the neck until dead p" The execution
took place in the grounds OF the old peniten
tiary in the presence Of between two ana
three hundred people including the military
authorities, members Of the Press, etc. The
time appointed by the President for the exc
cu,ion was between the hours OF 10 A. NJ.
and 3 p. NJ, but those who had come to wit
ness the expiation Of the darkest crime OF
the nineteenth century were ON the ground
long before the appointed hour, and. though
the proceedings were delayed hour after hour
50 great was the interest felt that people
stood PATIENTLY. aud without shelter, in the
rays OF scorching sun beating down with
heat of more than 100 deg.
In the meantime the friends Of Mrs. Sur
raft were not withou: hope Of reprieve, and
every means which desperation and despair
could invent were employed to rescue this
unhappy criminal from the dreadful doom
which awaited her. Her daughter. Miss
Anna Surratt, visited the Executive Mansion
at a very early hour in the morning for the
purpose Of seeking an interview with the
President to make last appeal in behalf OF
one to whom she was bound by the dearest
and strongest affection this world can know,
her mother.
The President deemins it useless to grant
an audience, she sent message requesting
an interview with his private secretary; and
upon lis making his appearance in the E's'
room Of the White House, the scene is de-
scribed Us extremely heart.ronding. The
poor child. in the agony Of despair. fell or
her knees and with words mingled with tears
and sobs poured forth melting appeal fol
tho life Of her wretched mother. But Pres
idents and Secretaries must deal with Justice,
as we'll as Mercy, and the child's prayers and
entrcaties were vain.
On the morning OF the day OF the exccu.
ton Judge Wylic, one Of the Justices Of the
Supreme court Of this district issued writ
Of Habeas Corpus for Mrs. Surratt, demand
ing her body at the court at the very hour OF
execution. The writ was served on Gen.
Hancock who had the prisoners in custody.
Gen. Hancock Immediately referred the doc
ument to President johnson, who has too Of
ten faced rebels in the South to be intimidat-
cd by Northern Judge OF doubtful loyalty;
and who made an endorsement on the writ to
the effect that no attention should be paid to
tho same, but the proceedings shouldgo on in
accordance with the arrangements. This at
tempt Of Judge Wylie to prevent the great
writ Of Habeas Corpus, established as an in
-, =, I,.,;o. inn, m o,,,.c,o for Tho
frn.,ro,;on Of Justice BY sna,chiur the Grim
;nal convicted BY overwhelming testimony
Of crime which has 6ll ID the civilized world
with horror. from n fate to which she had
been condemned, not only bya duly appoint
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