The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-11
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BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
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Tuesday Morning, December II, 1865.
a. % WASHINGTON.
JEFF. DATIS' fTRIAL.
The Discovery and Arrest of John
III. Surratt.
-
; WASHINGTON. Q
JEFF. DATIS' fTRIAL.
Correspondence Concerning the Occupa-
tion of Mexicaa Territory,

its bar without taking the test OATH The old
| oath is administered to applicants in open
court, and the applicant is required to retire to
one, of the adjoining offices and there sub
scribe to the test oath. This information is de-
| rived from Mr.. Middleton, the Clerk of the
Court. f. sltxE ~
Lorenzo Sherwood, ESQ.,, late of Texas, ap-
peared on the opening Of the United States
supreme Court this morning, and requested
| permission for Gov. Hamilton and himself to
reargue the question as to the constitutionality
of the law prescribing the test oath. His re-
marks commanded the most respectful atien-
tion, and permission was granted to file the
motion with the Clerk in pursuance of his re-
| quest.
| The u. s. Consul at Vera Cruz reports to
| the State Department. that Macmillan was to
| leave Orizaba on the 2Sth of November for the
City of Mexico, and that the u. s. mission
was likely to be regarded in friendly man
| ner by the French in that republic.
The project for supplanting the Governments
| at the South, and making Territories of the
states, is assuming shape and there is no
doubt but what the measure will be pushed
forward and through without delay.
All attempts to interfere with the National
Banks or the currency were summarily voted
down in the House to-day
There is the best authority for saying the
President has positively determined not to in
terfere in the case of JEFF. Davis, by ordering
his release on parole, but that he will remain
where he is until arrangements can be made
for his trial sometime during the ensuing
spring.
The President to-day sent documents rela-
tive to the discovery and arrest of Surratt. A
letter from Consul Wilding at Liverpool, dat
ed September 9th, 1865, says Surratt was ex-
pected in Liverpool thatslay, which he trans
mitted to Minister Adams. An affidavit says
that while going from Montreal to Quebec, he
became acquainted with man calling him
self McCarty, who told him he had been in the
confederate service, engaged in conveying in
teli1gence between Washington and Rich
mend that he had been concerned in a plan
for carrying off President Lincoln, which was
concocted entirely by j. Wilkes Booth and
himself; that he came to Canada lust before
the assassination of President Lincoln that
while in Canada he received a letter from
Booth, saying 1t had become necessary to
change their plans, and requested him to come
to Washington Immediately, and that he did
start Immediately. He did not say whether he
went there or not, but said that on his way back
to Canada, the train was delayed.at st. Albans
and while sitting at the breakfast table a gentle
man next to him spoke of the assassination of
MIR. Lincoln, and that he, McCarty, or as he
then called himself, Harrison, replied ''the
news was too good to be true; that the gentle
man took newspaper from his pocket and
read the account, and he Mccarthy was sur
prised to see his name there, and left ilnmedi-
ately; that on Sunday last the accused had
been talking with affant of an interview with
Mr.. - at Richmond, when the affiant said
to him You have told me great deal, what
must call you? what is your name? and he
answered: My name is Surratt. This was lust
before their arrival at Londonderry When
McCarty, or Surratt landed, he was disguised.
Mr.. Wllding writes to Mr.. Seward, Sept. 80
1865, that Surfatt had arrived at Liverpool, and
and again on the 10th of October that Minis
ter Adams had instructed him that he did not
consider it desirable with their present evil
dence of identity and completely to apply for
warrant for the arrest of the supposed Sur
rnff 10 ,,r4I~z 14~I Al
sation with affiant, Surratt declared his belief
that he would live long enough to give good
account of Mr.. johnson. Acting Secretary of
State, Mr.. Hunter, Oct. 13 1865, says: that in
consultation with the Secretary of War and
Judge Holt, it was thought advisable that no
action be taken in regard to the arrest of the
supposed John HI. Surratt, at present. Consul
General Potter, at Canada, under date of Oct
25, 1855 informs Secretary Seward that Surratt
left Three Rivers some time in September for
Liverpool, and adding: He was secreted at
Three Rivers by Catholic priest with whom
he lived. Minister King, at Rome, writes to
Secretary Seward April 23d, 1866, that Surratt
recer tly enlisted in the Papal Zouaves at
Seize. Mr.. Kings informant recognized him,
and Surratt admitted he was right in his con-
! lecture. Surratt acknowledged participation
in the plot against President Lincoln's life and
declared Jeff Davis had melted or was privy to
it. The informant further said that Surratt
seemed to be well supplied with money, and ap-
informant expressed an earnest desire that if
auy steps were taken towards reclaiming him,
(Surratt) as criminal, he should not be known
in the matter. Secretary Stanton, May 10Th,
1866, says the report was referred to Judge Ad-
vocate Holt, weo recommended him not to
|. prosecute without due confession verified by
oath.
Secretary Seward, May 2Sth, 1866, suggests.
as we have no treaty with the Papal govern
ment, special agent be sent to Rome 10 de-
mand his surrender.
Minister King to Secretary Seward, June
23d says he communicated with his informant
the day before, and received from him the ac-
companying document. He had at the same
| time a long conversation with him, which tend
| ed to confirm his belief in the truth of his
statements. He reported to him SurraGt's con-
fession of his completely in the murder of Pres
! ident Lincoln, and the admission of his moth
| er's guilty participation in the same plot The
| informant was formerly engaged as school
master at a small village in Maryland called
| Texas, and proposed to return to the United
| States and give evidence. He wishes his name
concealed because he believes the publication
! of it would endaneer his life 1t is said in his
sworn statement that Surratt remarked in
| New York that he proposed TO fly when the
| deed was done.
| Minister King to Secretary Seward, August
| 8th, 1885, says he communicated to Cardinal
| Antonelli the information which was sent
his Emlnence was greatly int rested by it land
| intimated that if our Government desired the
| surrender of the criminal, there would proba-
bly, be no difficulty. -
Secretary Seward, in a dispatch to Minister
| King October 10th, 1866 directs him to en,-
ploy a confidential person to compare the pho
tograph with the original, and visit Venetia for
that purpose, and to pay the informant sum
of money, (amount not named) for the infor-
nation given upon the subject The Secretary
| further instructs Mr.. King to seek an inter-
1 view with Cardinal Antonelli, and ask his Ho-
illness whether, in the absence of an extradition
| treaty, he would give Surratt up, or whether
in the event of the request being denied, he
| would enter into on extradition treaty. Also
| requesting that Surratt be not discharged un-
til further advised.
Minister King to Secretary Seward, dated
| Rome, Nov. I'd, says he had an interview with
| Cardinal AntonelIi, who frankly replied that
| he would give up Surratt on proper indictment
and proof, at the request OF the Department Of
State.
Mr.. King, under date of Nov 10th, says th
Cardinal informed him that Surratt or Wat
son, had been arrested by his orders, but while
on his way to Rome had escaped from his guard
of six men. The Cardinal expresses regret at
| his escape. i.sfd
All orders of the Papal Government for his
arrest are enclosed with this correspondence
Minister King and Capt. Fox, Lisbon, Nov
18th, telegraphed Minister Harvey to direct
Admiral GoldsborOugh to send one of his ships
| to Civitta Vechia.
Minister Marsh to Secretary Seward, Flor.
ence, Nov. 18th, says he had seen the Minister
Of Foreign Affairs and asked him if he thought
that the Italian Government would surrender
| Surratt to us if the accused was found in Ital.
ian territory. The Minister thought the ac-
cused would be surrendered on proper demand
and proof, but probably only under stipula
ton on our part that punishment of death
should not be inflicted. Surratt, under the
guard, hunted for in Naples, but he had gone
| thence to Alexandria. s#
1 December I'd, Consul General Hale commun
icates the fact that he had obeyed instructions
and arrested Surratt 57
Secretary Seward next day telegraphed him
that his course is approved, and informs him
that measures have been taken to bring Sur
ratt home, Admiral Goldsborough having been