, 1866-12-11
SUitRATf.
A Canadian Claims to have Discovered
A,n-wants tho $4,000 Howard
kcpOrteu Conversation With SurrAtts

A Canadian Claims to have Discovered
H3us-wants tho $4,000 Howard
Kcporre1 Conversation With surratts
From The Montreal Rets1d, December 81
We have to thank one Of our fellow-citfzens
or some Interesting particulars relating TO
the discovery and arrest OF this person.
They are contained IN series Of letters nd
dressed TO him by relative, gentleman
Some time ago we'll known to him In M1u-
trenl, bnt who gave up his engagement 1!:rc,
and, after serving IN the American almies,
enlisted In the Pupa1 ZonaE-s. l; appears
become very intimate with tho aur1atts,
and, Of course, was thoroughly acquainted
4ith the person Of the one who Is accused OF
completely in the murder Of Nr. Lincoln.
lie had no sooner arrived IN Italy than he
saw him, and recognized him in another
comp.ny Of thc Papsl troops:
communicated to Us merely speaks Of the
writer having hit upon something which W7s
likely to b. worth great deal Of money to
him, without mentioning the nature OF the
discovery. The letter Wss written 10 April.
respondent here that he had discovered
"here. in italy, John :. Srrfatt, one of the
aseasslnk OF Lincoln, for whom you know a
reward WIS offered ofk50, ,0o- wett to the
Ambassador ut Rome and told him a1i
knew. He Immediately wrote tn Mr.. Sew
AfQ IN "44ueENlOH lpl I19kt UCklUI94 " u4CA
were received three weeks ago. made q
declaration under oath Ut the fActs knew.
which was sent to America, and now ex-
poet 10 be sent in few days to Washington
10 give my esidence.'
Writing again the 1st Of October. the Zon-
ave gives come further particulars, from
which 1t appenr5 that the Representative oi
The American Government At Rome had BY
that time received instructions from WASH
Irgton, 10 consequence Of which he sent his
Informant to see and converse With Surrztt,
#. m whom he learned that the assassination
of Mr., lincoln was planned At Richmond.
and With the assent Of Ar. Jefferson Davis.
He made another deposition OF these conver-
satione, which Is no doubt by this time In
the hands Of the authorities at Washington.
He is now on his way to this country. VI
cnurse these ta.etDeuts arc given IS they
that 1t was from the information of the
l writer Of the letters now in our hanas thai
Surratt was detected, and arrested Ia the
trst tustaDce-an arrest, from which it Ii
! known that he escaped, and thus .gavt
] occasion to his subsequent capture at Alex
! sndria. -
wars been loath to believe that Mr. Davis
| had anythipg to do With so foul = murder Al
| that OF the late President. and that with
| every reason to believe that the gentleman
| whose letters we have quoted has acted IL
good faith, it would seem not to be wise upot
| The short statements In private letter t
| form hasty Judgment as tn the precise valu!
l Of the conversations (which Surratt had witt
him in Italy: nor without a fuller e1amtua
| tjon Of the facts to condemn o gentleman
who, whatever his political faults. has duria:
a long life borne an hTeproachable private
character
| II is somewhat remarkable that 1t WAS I
Capadiap In the American service Who earnet
| the reward for the capture of Booth, and tha
| 1t Is another Canadiau who seems to hAve en-
titled himself to that offered for the captur
of Surratt.