The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-07

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Samuel A. Mudd Edward spanger and Michael O'Laugh
lin be confined at hard labor in the Pententiary at
Albany, New York. during the period designated in their
respective sentences
ANDREW JOHNSON President
Our Special Washing ton Despatch.
WASHINGTON, July 9, 1858.
The public were taken by surprise this afternoon by
the publication OF the sentences Of the assassination
conspraors and the order for the execution 10 morrow
Of the four condemned to be hung or this sub
ect has eDgrossed the thoughts and conversation Of the
people since. As soon as it known that General
Hancock was charged with the execution Of the SEN
he overwhelmed with applications for passes
to witness the execution. But few Of them could be
granted however, as the accommodations Of the yard
where the executions TO take place very limited
Very liberal provisions have been made for the accom-
mediation Of tho afdcks Of the PRESS, who under
obligations 70 General Hancock for his kindness and dis
position TO facilitate their iabors
AZ first the truth Of the statement doubted, on
account Of the shortn of the time intervening between
the approval and the execution Of the sentence DEATH
The official orders dissipatcd all doubt the sub
ject The justice Of the findings and sentences
Ia universally conceded; but the sentiment seems
TO be very general that II would have been
better TO have postponed the execution until q
the subject, however, and it makes but little differ
ence how the affair is The for such
apparent haste undoubtedly to satisfy the public de-
sire for execution to follow swiftly the heels Of judg
ment also escape the thousands Of useless
cessons and opportunities that would DO made for par
dous combinations Of sentence the executions
postponed for sixty or even thirty days
10 the cases Of Payne Harold and Atxerott there rs
great concurrence Of opinion but that Of Mrs. surrat
ELECTS much discussion. We have not conversed with
single Individual who has not manifested great sympa
thy for Der, and who does not condemn in terms
the discrimination Of the authorities 70 make her pun.
ishment capital The feeling springs from a universal
repugnapce to hanging Q woman NO matter for what
offence But few deny its justice. None believe her
innocent, but all respect her
The proceedings and nndinss were taken up By The
President yesterday morning. and he reviewed them,
with Jsdse Holt AL other visitors were sxcisded during
the day After patient examination Of the evidence
the President approved the findings and sentence Of the
court and Issued the necessary orders for promptly
rying them into effect
Since the sentences the conspratos were made pub
lie the friends Of those sentenced death have un-
ceasing in their Efforts Obtain interview with the
President in order eudeavor obtain Communication
Of their sentences or at least respite The President
has, however, been unable TO see them, and
has referred tbem ali 70 Judge Holt Among
the applicants the sisters Of Harold the spiritual
adviser and the counsel Of Mrs surs and the wife Of
Dr. Nudd There 10 not the slightest hope Of either
mutation repreve, except 10 the Of Mrs surrat
In her there 10 believe that her
ence may be committed to imprisonment for iife ~
least tbss she may be repreved, though Ii very slight
The Others will undoubtedly be executed ordered to-
morrow.
little before to-day Generals Hancock and Hart
ranft repaired TO the military prison. when the sentences
Of the Military Commission approved by the President,
were read TO each OF the prisoners by General Haranft
in General Hancocks presence.
The convict Payne the Hrst visited He listened
TO the reading with great apparent composure and main
tanned marvellous self possession throughout He evil
IDENTITY expected nothing else and fully prepared In
mind 10 meet his fate His behavior has been calm and
cxcepsionsbe throughout his Incarceration 1ftbe proofs
OF bis terrible crime could be bioed from the recolec
ton Of men, there would be found much in hs cOpduc
'ocnshenge the admiration OF every one During hi
Imprisonment he has not been very commupcatiy,
concerning himself or others, but has not beer
detected In any prevarcation or duplicty. II,
seems to have gone into the plot Deliberately AN,
accepts the consequences s,oicaIly He eYpressed MI
regrets this Afternoon that any conduct OF bis shout,
have tended to mplicae Mrs surratt and thinks Jobr
Surra great villain for not remaining TO die with hi
mother. When asked II he desired his friends Il
be notified Of his sentence, he replied No, they wer,
too far away to come In season. II beyond doubt
that his real Powell and that his friends and rel
aives reside In Florida Al his request DR. sracksr
Baptist minister OF Baltimore was sent for.
| Atzerott next visited In his CELL and was much
affected by the reading Of his sentence He entertained
hopes OF acqutal at most of being imprisoned a
term OF years He desired to see Lutheran minister
! but expressed preference for any individual.
Rev. Mr. Butler, pastor Of the Lutheran
church, corner OF II and Eleventh Streets was
sent for and visited him twice during the day and
evening Atzerott communicated to him that he had
been regiousy reared in boyhood, but had pro.
fessed religion himself He inquired earnestly II there
| hope for his being pardoned, and, when posi-
lively assured there whatever, gave way 10
paroxyms Of grief and became greatly prostrsted
Surgeon Porter Of the regular army has visited The
prisoners twice daily since their confinement and his
aerncoc reported Atzsrott srssy depreessd and thai