Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-12-15
1,nc ,,.sc or .gohn m. sn,lnst.

Reprcscntatke Boutwelis resolution, call
ing forinformation relative to the discovery |
and arrest Of John II. surratt. |
The docun,ents are voluminoue The hnt
letter IL from Mr.. Welding, United States
consul at Liverpool, dated September SHD'
1865, in which, addressing Secretary sew
nrd. he saws that information was given to
him the day before, that Surratt was in
Liverpool or expected to be. He took the
affidavit of the person who gave him the in
formation, aud transmitted 1t to Minister |
Adams.
The affidavit states that while going from |
Montreal to Quebec he became ucquaipted |
with man calling himself Mccarthy. who |
told him he had been in the Confederate
service, engaged in conveying intelligence
between Washington and Richmond that
he bad been concerned in a plan for carry
ing off President Lincoln. which was con
cocted entirely by J. Wilkes Booth and
himself that lie came to Canada just before
the assassination of President Lincoln that
while in Canada he received letter from
Booth saying that it had become necessary
to change their plans, and requested him to
come TO Washington Immediately, and that
ne did start immediatly for that place.
| He did not say whether lie wen. there,
! but said that on his way back to Canada,
the train he was in was delayed at ST. AL.
bans, and while sitting at the breakfast
table, gentleman next to him spoke of the
report of the assassination, and that he, Nc
Carthy. or rs he then called himself, Harri.
son, replied 'the news was too good to lie
true :" that the gentleman took newspaper
from his pocket and read the account
of the occurrence, and he (McCarthy) was
surprised to see his name there, and left I'M
mcdiately. Tnat on Sunday morning last
.he accused had been talking with the
alliant of an interview with Mr.. -, at
Richmond, when the afilaEt said to him ::
"You have told me great deal-what must
call you2 what is your name Z" and he
answered: MY name is Surratt." This was
Just before their arrival at Londonderry.
When Mccarthy or Surratt landed he was
disguised.
Mr.. Welding writes to Mr.. Seward under
date of Septe nber 30th, 1865, that Surratt
bad arrived at Liverpool aud again on the
10th of Octob r, that Minister Adams hat,
, instructed him that he did not consider it
desirable with their present evidence of
identity and com plicity, to apply for war
| rant for the ARE t oe the supposed Surratt
t 1t is further stated that in his conversation
a with the affiant. Surratt declared his belief
: that he would live long enough to give a
good account OF Mr. johnson.
e Acting Secretary of State Hunter, under
: date of Octnber 13, 1865, says: In consulta
: ion with the Secretary of War and Judge
Holt it was thought advisable that no actor
! should be tlken in regard to the arrest o
!. the supposed John II. Surratt at present.
!. Consul General Potter, at Canada. on Oc
e tober 25, 1865, informs Secretary Scward
8 that Surratt left Three Rivers some time ir
q September, for Liverpool, and adds: He was
e secreted at Three Rivers by Catholic prizes
y with whom he lived.
n Minister King, at Rome. writes to Secre
e tary Seward, April 23, S66, that Surratt re
e Gently enlisted in that Papal Zouaves a
e Sense. Mr.. Kings informant recognized
e. him, and Surratt admitted he was right il
his COZ ! cture. Surratt acknowledged hi
Is participation in the plut against Presiden
n Lincon's life, and declared that jeff Davi
& had melted or was privy to it. The infor
& mant further said that Surrutt seemed to h
le well supplied with money, and appealed t.
e. him not to betray his secret. The iniorman
l. expressed an earnest desire that if any step
70 were taken towards reclaiming Surratt as
q, criminal he should not be known in th
e, matter.
la Secretary Stanton, May 10, 1866, says :
The report was referred to Judge Advocat
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