Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-12-21
Instantaneous.
rAE ARREST oF suRRATT.

The publication OF the correspondence rela-
tive to the arrest OF John II. Surratt, tho
assassination conspirator, develops some
interesting facts. In September 1865 four
teen months ago. the American Vice Consul
at Liverpool notified Mr.. Seward that Surratt
was expected there from Canada, md four
days later he notified the Secretary Of State
that Surrstt was in Liverpool, and stated tae
place Of his residence. Nothing was done,
however, toward securing his arrest, for the
aledged reason that Minister Adams consid-
cred the proof Of identity insufficient and on
the 18th Of October M. Seward gave orders
that no action be taken in the matter. Infor-
nation had also been previously received
from Consul General Potter in Canada that
Surratt mad left for England, and detailing
conversations had with him on the voyage by
one Of the passen, gers. In this connection It
may be stated that the New York CONNER
cal. one Of whose edi.oss was in Montreal in
August, 1860, says IL was notorious in Mon
treal during the summer Of that year that
surratJ wa- concealed there by Catholic
priests. After Mr.. Stewards order, five
months Of inactivity elapsed, when the state
Depai tment was again aroused to conscious
ness on the subject by receiving spatch
Gin April last) from Mr.. King, our Minister
at Rome, announcing that Surratt was serv-
ing in the Papal Guards. The person who
made the discovery to him in June submitted
sworn statement as foliows
." - native OF Canada, British Ameri-
ca, aged thirty-three years, do swear and de-
clare, under OATH that about six months pre-
yious TO the assassination OF President Abra-
ham Lincoln, was living in Maryland, at a
small village called Elangown or Little Tex
as, about twenty-five or thirty miles from
Baltimore, where l was engaged as teacher
for period Of about five months. there
and then got acquainted with Lewis j. WEIGH
man and John H. Sunatt, who came to that
locality to pay visit to the parish priest.
At that first interview great deal was said
about the war and slavery, the sentiments
expressed by these two individuals being
more than secessionists. In the course Of
the conversation ] remember Surratt to have
said, that President Lincoln would certainly
pay for all the men that were slain during the
war. About a month after ] removed to
Washington at the instigation Of weichman,
and got situation as tutor -, where he
was himself engaged Surratt visited us
weekly, and once he offered to send me South,
but | declined | did not remain more than
month at Washington, not being able to
agree with Weichman, and enlisted in the
army Of the North, as stated in my first state
ment in writing to General King.
i have met Surratt in Italy, alta small town
called Vehctri. He is now known under the
name Of John WATSON. ! recognized him be-
fore he made himself known to me, and told
him privately, You are Jchn Surratt, the
person l have known in Maryland He ac-
knowledged he was. aud begged of me to
keep the thing secret. After some conver-
saton spoke of the " fortunate affair of
the assassination Of President Lincoln, aud
these were his words: Damn the Yankees,
they have killed my mother. But ! have
done them as much harm as could. We
have killed Lincoln, the niggers' friend He
then said. speaking Of his mother, Had it
not been for me and that coward Weehman,
my mother would be living now. IL wa, fear
made him speak; had he kept his tongue
there was no danger TOR him. But if l ever
return to America or meet him elsewhere |
shall kill him. He then said he was in the
secret service of the South, and Weichman,
who was in some department there, used 90
steal copies OF the dispatches and forward
them TO him, and thence to Richmond
Speaking OF the murder he said they had
acted under the orders of men who are not
yet known, some of whom are still in New
York and others in London. | am aware
that money is sent to him yet from London.
When | left Canada. he said, had but little
money, but had letter for party in Lon
don. | was in disguise, with dyed hair and
false beard; that party sent M to hotel,
where he told me to remain till would hear
from him alter few weeks he came and
proposed 70 me to go 60 Spain, but declined
and asked to 20 to Paris. He gave him sew
enty pounds, with letter Of introduction to
a party there, who sent him here to Rome,
where he joined the Zouaves. He says be
can get money In Rome at any time. | be-
lieve be is protected by the clergy, and that
the murder is the result of deep laid plot,
not only against the life OF President Lincoln,
but against the existence OF the republic, as
we are aware that priesthood and royalty
are, and always have been, opposed to liber-
ty. That such men es Surratt, BooA WEIGH
man and others, should, of their own accord,
plan and execute the Internal plot which re-
suited in the death of President Lincoln, is
impossible. There are others behind the
curtains who have TO make these scoundrels
act
have also asked him il be knew jeff Da-
Wis. He said not, but that he had acted un-
der instructions of persons under his immedi-
ate orders. Being asked il Jeff Davis had
anything to do with the assassination, he
said 81 am not going to tell you" My
impression is that he brought the order from
Richmond, as he was IN the habit of 90 ng
there weekly. He must have wished the
others to do it, for when the event took
place he told me ne was in New York, pre-
pared to Hv "a soon as the deed was done