Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-12-19
The Assassination Conspiracy,
Correspondence submitted to
Congress.
Career of John q, Surratt.

arrest of the fugitive. Under date oi
Liverpool, 22d September 1865, Mr..
Wilding informs Mr.. Seward that Sur.
ratt had arrived or was expected to ar
rive in that city. He enclosed an affi-
davit of a person whose name was not
made known. but who, it seems, was
confident of Surratt, stating all the par
ticulars of his voyage from Canada, and
conversation on the way, Surratt con-
fessed he had been in the Confederate
service, and his special business was to
convey intelligence from Washington
to Richmond. He also declared that
the plan to kidnap and carry off Pres
ident Lincoln was concocted by him.
self aud J. Wilkes Booth. He says he
arrived in Canada before the assassina-
ton of the President, and while there
received letter from Booth, saying it
had become necessary to change their
plans, and requested him to come i'm
mediately 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 de-
layed at st. Catharines, and whilst sit
ting at the breakfast table gentleman
next to him mentioned the report of
the assassination, and that he (McCar-
thy as he then called himself, replied
that it was too good to be true. The
gentleman took a newspaper from his
pocket and read an account OF the oc-
currence, and Mccarthy surprised at
finding his own name mentioned, i'm
mediately left on Sunday evening. He
had stated TO me a long conversation
held with Mr.. (Blank) at Richmond,
and said to him, "You have told me a
great story. Now, sir, what is your
name?" He promptly replied, Sur
ratt." This was before our arrival at
Londonderry. He has not seen Sur
ratt since, but l believe he is in Liver
pool.
Under date of September 80. Mr..
Wilding says: Since my dispatch of
the % inst, the supposed Surratt has
arrived in Liverpool, but Mr.. Adams
advises me that under the present evil
dence of identity and completely it
would not be polite to cause his ar
rest. In conversation with -, of
-, Surratt declared he hoped that
he would live long enough yet to give
an account of President Johnson
Under date oil October 13, 1865, Mr..
Hunter, Assistant Secretary of State,
writes that on consultation with the
Secretary of War and Judge Advocate
Holt, it is not thought advisable to
take any step for'the arrest of the sup
posed Suratt at present.
Mr.. King, under date of April 23d,
1866, 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
acknowledged his participation in plot
ting against the life of President Lin
coin. He declared that he never had
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 mon
ey, and appealed to him not to betray
his secret. The informer expresses an
earnest desire that if any step be taken
towards reclaiming Surratt as q 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 acknowl
edges the receipt of these documents.
and says he had referred the same to
Judge Advocate General Holt, who ad-
Yises him that the statements of the in
formant be procured and verified under
oath, and afterwards proper steps be ta-
ken for the arrest of the supposed
criminal.
Under date of Nay 2Sth, Mr.. Sew
ard suggests to the Secretary of War
that as we have no extradition treaty |
with the Papal Government, that a
special agent be sent to the same to !!
demand the surrender of Surratt.
Under date of Rome, June 23d, Mr..
King reports that he had held another
long conversation WITH (blank) which
confirmed him in the belief of the truth /
Of his statement, which his informant
lad committed to writing. He says
Surratt had full completely, and admit
ted his mothers guilt in the participa-
lion. The witness says that he was at
)ne time a teacher in the village of
Texas, Maryland, and declares himself
prepared to 90 TO the United States
he still wishes his name concealed,
earring that his life would be endan-
,ered if divulged. Surratt also re-
marked to him that he was in New
York, ready to fly when the assassina-
ion took place, and he does not regret
What has occurred.
July 18th, Mr.. King returns the
.boVe statement against Surratt, prop
.rly sworn by the informant.
Under date of Rome, August 8, Mr..
King says he explained the whole af-
air to authorities at Rome, when His
lminence expressed himself as greatly
and intimated that if the
American Government desired a sur
ender of the criminal, there would
be no difficulty in the way.
October 16, Mr.. Seward incloses to
Ir King a photograph of Surratt, and
uggests that a confidential person be
elecled to visit Vellettia and compare
he photograph of Surratt with the
imposed criminal. He also suggests
hat proper compensation be allowed
he informant, and directs him to seek
positive information of the authorities
7hether His Holiness would be willing {
o enter into a general extradition
reaty. Mr.. King was also instructed /
o ask that neither Surratt nor-be
discharged until there has been a full |
of the matter, and time
70 given to make demand for them.
ROME, November 24.-Mr. King says
Ie has had full interview with Cardi-
Ial Antonelli, who has responded that i
le would give up Surratt on proper
Indictment and proof at the request
f the United States, if the latter Gov
rnment would do likewise under paral-
Ell circumstances. Mr.. King also re- ,
lied that he would like a confidential
,erson 20 compare Surratt's photograph !
With the supposed criminal.
November l0--Cardinal Antonelli {
pprised Mr.. King that Surratt or Wat !
on had been arrested by his orders, !
the CardinaPs), but on the way to
rome had escaped from a guard of six
nen. The Cardinal expressed great I
egret at Surratt's escape. All the or '
Iers of the Papal Government, and the |
eports of the Papal officers concern