The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-12-19
from the New York Tribune.
THE ARREST OF SURRATT.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1O.-The PRESIDENT to-
day transmitted to the House an answer to
Representative Boutwelrs resolution calling
for information relative to the discovery and
arrest of John H. Surratt. The Documents
are voluminOus; the first letter is from Mr..
Wilding, United States Consulate at Liver
pool, dated September 81, 1865, in which,
! addressing Secretary Seward, he says that
information was given to him the day be-
fore, that Surratt was in Liverpool. or ex-
-pected to be. He took the affidavit of the
| person who gave him the information and
transmitted it to Mr.. Adams. The affidavit
| says that while going from Montreal to Que
bee he became acquainted with a man call
| ing himself Mccarthy, who told him he had
been in the Confederate service engaged in
conveying intelligence between Washington
and Richmond that he had been concerned
| in plan for carrying off President Lincoln,
which was concocted entirely by j. Wilkes
Booth and himself; that he came to Canada
| just before the assassination of President
Lincoln; that while IN Canada he received
letter from Booth. saying that it lad become
necessary to change their plans, and request
ed him to come to Washington imme diately,
and that he did start Immediately for Wash
ington. He did not say whether he went
ada the train he was in was delayed at st.
Adams, and while sitting at the Breakfast
table a gentleman next to him spoke of the
report of the assassination, and that he (Mc-
Carthy,) or as ne then called himself, Harri
son, replied, the news was too good to be
true that the gentleman took newspaper
from his pocket, and read the account of the
occurrence, and he MCCARTHY was surprised
TO thoro nd 1aff fol,
that on Sunday last the accused had been
talk ing with the affiant of an interview with
Mr.. -, at Richmond, when the affiant said
to linn, You have told me a great deal
| What.must call you What is your name2'
| And he answered, MY name is Surratt.'-
| This was Just before their arrival at London
derry. When Mccarthy (or SurratD landed
he was disguised.
Mr. Wilding writes to Mr.. Seward, Sept
80, 1865, that Surratt had arrived at Liver
pool and again, on the 10th of October,
that Minister Adams had instructed him
shat he did not consider it desirable, with
| their present evidence of identity and COM
| plicity to apply for warrant for the sup
| posed Surratt. 1t is further stated that in
| his conversation with the officer Surratt de-
| clared his belief that he would live long
| enough to give good account of Mr.. John
| son.
Acting Secretary of State Hunter, Oct. Is,
| 1865, says, in consultation with the Secreta-
( ry of War and Judge Holt, it was thought
! advisable that no action be taken in regard
/ to the arrest of the supposed John H. Surratt
/ at present.
! Consul General Potter at Canada. Oct 25,.
1865, informs Secretary Seward that Surratt
left Three Rivers some time in Sept for Liv-
| erp0ol, and adds He was secreted at Three
Rivers by Catholic priest whom he lived"
Minister King at Rome writes to Secreta-
ry Seward April %, 1866, that SuTatt re-
Gently enlisted in the Papal Zouaves at Sez-
re. Mr.. Kings informant recognized him,
and Surratt admitted that he was right in
his conjecture. Surratt acknowledged his
participation in the plot against President
Lincoln's life, and declared that JEFF. Davis
had melted or was privy to it. The infOr-
mant further said that Surratt seemed to be
well supplied with money and appealed to
him not to betray his secret. The informant
express an earnest desire that if any steps
were taken toward retaining him (Surratt)
as criminal he should not be known in the
matter.
Secretary Stanton, May, 10, 1866, says the
report was referred to Judge-Advocate Holt,
who recommended him NOT to prosecute
without due confession verified by oath
Secretary Seward May %, 1866, suggests
that as we have treaty with the Papal Gov
eminent, a special agent be sent to Rome to
demand the surrender of Surratt.
Minister King to Secretary Seward, June
90, 1866 says he communicated with his in
formant the day before and received from
him the accompanying document. He had
at the same time long conversation with
him, which tended to confirm his belief in
the truth of hisstatements. He reported to
him Surratt's confession of completely in the
murder of President Lincoln, and the admis-
sion of his mothers guilty participation in
the same plot The informant was formerly
engaged as a.schoolmaster at small village
in Maryland called Texas, and proposed to
return to the United States and give evil
dence. He wishes his named concealed be-
cause he believes the publication of it would
endanger his lite. 1t is said, in his sworn
statement, that Surratt remarked in New
York be proposed to fly when the deed was
done.
Minister King. to Secretary Seward, Au-
gust 8, 1866, says he communicated to Cardi-
nal Antonelli the information which was
sent His Eminence was greatly interested
by it, and intimated that if our Government
desired the surrender of the criminal there
would probably be no difficulty.
Secretary Seward to Minister King, Octo-
Der 16, 1866. directs him to employ conf
dental person to compare the photograph
with the original, and to visit Villetri for
that purpose, and to pay the informant sum
of money, amount not named, for informa-
ton given upon the subject. The Secretary
further instructs Mr.. King to seek aninterview
with Cardinal Antonelli, and to ask His .Ho-
illness whether in the absence of an eXtradi-
ton treaty he would give Surratt up. or
whether in the event of the request being
denied he would enter into an extraditior
treaty also requesting that Surratt be not
discharged until further advised.
Minister King to Secretary Seward, dated
Rome, Nov. 2, says be had an interview
with Cardinal Antonelli, who frankly replied
he would give up Surratt on proper indict-
ment and proof at the request of the Depart
ment of State. Mr. King under date Nov.
| 10, says that the Cardinal informed him that
Surratt or Watson had been arrested by his
orders, but that while ON the way to Rome
escaped from the guard of six men. The
Cardinal expresses regret at the escape. All
the orders of the Papal Government for the
arrest are inclnsed with tue correspondence.
Minister King and Capt. Fox, Lisbon,
Nov. II, teegraphed Minister Harvey to di-
rect Admiral Goldshorough to send one of
his ships to Civita Vecchia. Minister Marsh
to Secretary Seward, Florence Nov. 1S, says
he had seen the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
and asked him if he thought the Italian
Government would surrender Surratt to the