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

Samuel A. Mudd, Edward 6pangler and Michael OLaugh-
lin be confined at hard labor in the Penitenary, at
Albany New York. during the period designated in their
respective sentences.
ANDREW JOHNSON, President
Our Special Washington Despatch.
WASHINGTON, July 8, 1865
The public taken by surprise this afternoon by
the publication OF the sentences Of the assassination
consprators and the order for the execution to
OF the four condemned to be hung or this sub
ject has eDgrossed the thoughts conversation Of the
people since. As soon as it known that General
Hancock charged with the execution Of the
tences he overwhelmed with applications for passes
to witness the execution. But few Of them could be
granted, however, the accommodations of the yard
where the executions TO take place very limited
Very liberal provisions have been made for the
mediation Of the utachs Of the press, who under
obligations 70 General Hancock for his kindness
position TO facilitate their iabors
Al first the truth Of the statement was doubted on
account Of the shortn of the time intervening between
the approval and the execution Of the DEATH
The official orders dissipatcd all doubt the sub
ject. The justice OF the findings and sentences
is universally conceded; but the sentiment seems
to be very general that II would have been
better TO have postponed the execution until
week from tomorrow. Very little feeling exists
on the subject, however, and 1t makes but little differ
ence how the affair is The reasons for such
apparent haste undoubtedly satisfy the public de-
sire for execution TO follow swiftly the heels Of udg
ment and also escape the thousands Of
cessions and opportunities that would be made for par
dons communications Of sentence the executions
postponed for sixty even thirty days
In the cases Of Payne Harold and Atzerott there
great concurrence Of opinion but that Of Mrs. suratt
ecits much discussion. We have not convcrsed with
single individual who has not manifested great sympa
thy for her, and who does condemn in some terms
the determination OF the authorities 70 make her pun
ishmeut capital The feeling springs from universal
repugnance 70 hanging q woman, matter for what
offence But few deny its justice. None believe her
innocent, but all respect her ser.
The proceedings and nndinss were taken up by sAs
President yesterday morning. and be reviewed them,
with Jsdge Holt All other visitors were sxcisded during
the day After . patient examination Of tho evidence
the President approved the findings and sentence of the
court and issued the necessary orders for promptly
ryng them into effect
Since the sentences the conspirato made pub
lie the friends Of those sentenced TO death been un
ceasing in their efforts obtain interview with the
President in order endeavor obtain Communication
Of their sentences at least respite. The President
has, however, been unable TO see them, and
has referred tbem all TO Judge Holt Among
adviser and the counsel Of Mr sustt and the wife Of
Dr. hudd. There 10 slightest hope Of either
mutation or repseve, except 10 the Of Mrs surra
In her case there believe that her
tence may be commuted to imprisonment for fe 81
least tbs< she may be repreved though very slight
The othefs will undoubtedly be esecutsd ordered to-
morrow
little before to-day Generals Hancock and Hart
ranft repaired 70 the military prison. when the sentences
OF the Military Commission, approved by the President
were read to each OF the prisoners by General Haran
in General Hsncock's presence
The convict Payne the Hrst visited He listened
to the reading with great apparent composure
taIned marvellous self possession throughout He evil
den,y expected nothing else and fully prepared in
mind 10 meet his fate His behavior has calm and
crcepsonsbe throughout his Incarceration 1.-THE proofs
Of bis terrible crime could be bloed from the recolIec
ou Of men, there would be found much his conduct
to challenge the admiration Of every one During bis
Imprisonment he has not been very communicative
concerning himself Others but has not beon
detected In any prevarcation or duplicty He
seems TO have gone into the plot deliberately and
accepts the consequences stoicay He expressed his
regrets this afternoon that any conduct OF his should
have tended to implcate Mrs surratt and thinks John
Surratt great villain for not remaining TO die with his
mother When asked n be desired his friends TO
be notified OF his sentence, he replied, mo- they were
too far away TO come in season II beyond doubt
that his real is Powell and that his friends and rel
aiivcs reside in FLORIDA Al his request Dr. s,racksr
Baptist minister Of Baltimore was sent for.
Atzerott was next visited in his CELL and was much
affected by the reading Of his sentence He entertained
hopes OF scquttal, or at most Of being imprisoned a
term Of years. He desired to Lutheran minister
but expressed preference for any individual.
Bcv. Mr. Butler, pastor Of the Lutheran
church, corner OF and Eleventh streets,
sent for and visited him twice during the day and
evening Mzerott communicated to him that he had
been regiousy reared In boyhood but had pro-
fessed religion himself He inquired earnestly II there
was no hope FOR hs being pardoned, and when posi-.
lively assured there was none whatever gave way TO
paroxyms Of grief and became greatly prostrsted
Surgeon Porter, Of the regular army, has visited the
prisoners twice daily since their confinement, and this
atierncoc reporsd Aizsrot srssy deprse~d and that