The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-12
THE ASSASSINATION CONSPIRACY.
correspondence submitted to Con.
Ercas.--Career of John H. Surrnrr

3 Oent communicated 10 the House TODAY
the correspondence on the arrest OF
nous, and relieves Mr.. Seward of the
imputation that he had neglected to use
! proper efforts to secure the arrest of the
/ fugitive. Under date of Liverpool, odd
] September, 1865, Mr.. WildinE informs
Mr.. Seward that Surratt had arrived, or
was expected to arrive, in that city.
be Enclosed an affidavit OF person
whose name was not made known, but
who, it seems, was confident of Surratt,
stating all the particulars of his vow
/ age from Canada, and conversations on
/ the way. Surratt confessed he had been
in the confederate service; and his
special business WAS to convey intelli-
Eence from Washington to Richmond
He also declared that the plan to kid
nap and carry of President Lincoln
was concocted by himself and j. Wilkes
Booth. He says he arrived in
Canada before the assassination of
Lincoln, and while there received let
ter from Booth, saying that it had be-
come necessary to change their plans,
and requesting him TO come immedi-
ately to Washington, but he did not say
/ whether he returned there as requested,
! but remarked that on his way back to
Canada the train was delayed at St.
GATHERINGS, and whilst sitting at the
breakfast table a gentleman next to
him mentioned the report of the aSsas-
sination, and that he tMcCarthy,) as he
l then called himself, replied that il was
[ too good to be true. The gentleman
I took newspaper from his pocket and
I read an account of the occurrence, and
Mccarthy, surprised at finding his own
name mentioned, Immediately left on
Sunday evening. He had stated to me
long conversation held with Mr..
lBlauk) at Richmond, and said to him,
You have told me great story. Now,
-, I
promptly answered, "SurTatt." This
was before our arrival at Londonderry.
He has not seen Surratt since but be-
lieve he is in Liverpool.
|. Under date of September so, Mr.,
| Wildings says: Since my dispatch ofthe
sd inst, the supposed Surratt has ar
rived in Liverpool, but Mr.. Adams adj
vises me that under the present evil
dence OF identity and complicitv it
would not be polite to cause his arrest.
In conversation with -, of -, Sur
raft declared that he hoped that he
would live long enough vet to give an
account OF President johnson. Under
date ofOctOber IS, 1866, Mr.. Hunter, As
slstant Secretary of State, writes that
on consultation with the Secretary of
War and Judge Advocate Holt, il is not
thought advisable to take any step for
the arrest of the supposed Surratt at
present.
Mr.. King, under date of April sd,
1856, writes to Mr.. Seward, informing
him that John Surratt had enlisted in
the Papal Zouaves, and had admitted
that his true name was Surratt, and ac-
6nowledged his participation in plot
ting against the life of President Lin
coin. He declared that he had never
seen JEFF. Davis, but that it was under
stood that he had melted or was privy
to the plot.
Mr.. Kings informant says Surratt
seemed TO be well provided with money,
and appealed to him not to betrav his
secret. The informer expresses an
earnest desire that il any steps be taken
towards retaining Surratt as a crimi-
nal, that his name should not be made
known in the matter
on May 18th, 1866, Mr.. Seward in
forms Mr.. Stanton of the receipt of the
foregoing Information, and laid before
him Mr.. Kings letter, detailing all the
facts, May 18th, Mr.. Stanton ack-
nowledges the receipt of these docu-
ments. and says he had referred the
same TO Judge Advocate General Holt,
who advises him that the statements OF
the informant be procured and verified
under oath, and afterwards proper steps
be taken for the arrest of the supposed
criminal.
Under date of May 18th, Mr.. Seward
suggests to the Secretary of War that
AS we have no extradition treaty with
I the Papal Government, that a special
agent be sent to the same todemand the
surrender of SuTratt.
Under date of Rome, June sd, Mr..
King reports that he had held another
long conversation with -. which
fully confirmed him in the belief of the
truth OF his statement, which his in
. foTmant had committed TO writing. He
says that Surratt had full completely,
and admitted his mothers guilt of par
. rH.T- ~ -
was at one time "A teacher in the village
of Texas, Maryland, and declares him
self prepared 10 go 20 the United States.
He still wishes MS name concealed,
fearing that his life would be endau-
Eered if divulEei. Surratt also re-
York, ready TO ny when the assasSina-
I ton took place, and ne does not regret
what has occurred.
Under date of Rome, August :, Mr..
King says he explained the whole af-
fair 10 the authorities in Rome, when
/ His Eminence expressed himself as
{ greatly interested, and intimated that
if the American Government desired 4
surrender OF the criminal, there would
I probably be no difficulty in the way.
October Is, Mr.. Seward incloSeS to
I Mr.. King a photograph OF Surrati. and
suggests that II confidential person Be
/ selected to visit Nelielia and cosnuare
| posed criminal. He also suggests that
] proper compensation b allowed the in
I formaut, and directs him TO seek posi-
! tive Information OF the authorities
whether His Holiness would BE- willing
/ to enter into general sItTa3liiou
I treaty. Mr.. King was also instructed
Z 10 ask that neither SlErAi; nor - ts
[ discharged, until there has been = full
investigation OF the matter, and time
I be given to make a demand for them
ROME, November 4.-Mr. King saws
he has had s full interview with Cz-6i-
Z nal AntonelI, who has responded that
he would give up SurTatt on proper in
dictnent and proof at the request cfthe
United States, If the latter Government
would do likewise under parallel cir-
cumstances. Mr.. King also replied that
be would like confidential person 20
compare Surratt's photograph with the
supposed criminal.
November l0.-Gardiual AntOnelli
appriSe,l Mr.. King that Surratt or Wat
son had been arrested by his orders
THE CArdinal's), but on the way TO
Rome had escaped from the guard OF
six men. the Cardinal expressed great
regret At Surratt's escape. All the or
deTs of the Papal Government, and the
reports OF the Papal officers concerning
the arrest and escape were enclosed.
November l7.-MeSsrs. King and As
siStant Secretary of the Navy. Fox
sent 10 Minister Harvey, at Lisbon, 10
direct Admiral Goidsborough to send
vessel to Clvita NecChia upon impor-
tant business.
FLORENCE, November lS.-Ir. Marsh
reports that he had, Immediately upon
his arrival from Naples. had an inter
view with the Secretary General of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and asked
him If he thought the Italian govern