Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-05
IOHN III. SrRRATT-
His Arrest in the Ranks of the PapaI
Army-His Escape.

Army-His Escape
[Florenoe NOV. l3l Correspondence Lond.n
Post
II is stated that J. III. Surrstt zone OF the per-
sons charged with compiler IA the assA-stnR-
tion OF the late PresIdeut OF the United states,
Abraham Ian coin has been serving for some
time past In the PSpal ZOuaves, hts company
being Chartered At NerolI, one OF the frontier
towns OF the AppenInes, near Frosinou. H,.
had assumed and was known m his regimen;
by the name Of John Watson. Informauen o:
this fact having been communicated 20 General
Rufus King, the Minister of the United Stat..
Al Rome, nc time was lost by him in trans
mltiiDg the news to has Government. which
straightwav instructed the General 10 take
such meas ures as might lead 10 the securing Of
Surratt, alias Watson.
In compliance with has instructions. Gen.
King repaired 10 the Vatican, requested an
audience of Cardinal Antonelli, and asked his
Eminence whether, IN the event Of hIs proving
the identity of SuIratL The Papal GOv-rnmsnE
would hand bin over TO that OF the United
States. The Cardinal Secretary promised th.
General all the facilities in his power few
days after, on returning 20 the Vatican, Gen.
King was made acquainted by Cardinal An
tonelll with the measures he had taken. These
were contained IN a series OF telegraphlc in
structIons sent from Rome with the CORES
ponding telegraphic replies from the local au-
ihorIties at Neroli and Nelletri. They recorded
The order TO arrest Surratt, alias Watson: the
successive steps taken in compliance with the
order; the actual arrest; the conveyance 70
prison; the removal from prison under a guard
OF five soldiers of his company; but the series
closed with the announcement mat when thus
led out, Surrait, alias Watson. made a sudden
dash from his guards, Jumped over a preci-
pce more than one hundred feet high. and,
though holly pursued by hfty Zouaves, was
enabled, from the tact Of their preferring n more
ciTcuItous route, 10 get clear across the frontier
into the Italian territory.
The existing relations between the Italian
and Papal States on all, and more especially
eGtraditlon matters, are VIGOROUSLY of such a
character that It is not likely Cardinal Anto-
nelli has addressed any very urgent commune
cation TO the Government of Florence 10 assIst
in capturing the individual who eyaded the
vigilance of his own Zouaves; but Of course
General King lost no time in comm a ulcatlng
the facts 10 his colleague AZ Florence. where
the American Government Is most honorably
and efficiently represented by Mr.. George =
Marsh. the phIlologist, to whom the pressEt
generation OF English youth owe a large debt
OF gratitude.
In consequence OF the representations lust
made by Mr.. Marsh TO the Italian Governrnent.
telegraphic instructions have been forwarded
10 the towns on the Papal frontier and 10 an
the seaports OF Italy, 10 recapture Watson,
alias Surratt; but II am not e1 e1ceedingly MS
informed. the Italian Government, in daclar-
ing its readiness 10 forward the great ends OF
International Justice, has intimated that. even
IN the event of its giving up Surratt. alias
Watson, il will stipulate that his life be spared