Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-12-18
suRRATT, THE ASSASSIN.
The Proof upon which he oas arrest

In June, the person who had recognized
Surratt IN Rome, made sworn statement ia
Mr: King, confirming all he had before said
and expressing his willingness to come tc
the United States to give his evidence This
statement was as follows:
", -, a native of Canada, British
America, aged thirty-three years, do swear
and declare, under oath that about six months
| previous to the assassination of President
Abraham Lincoln, was living in Maryland,
at small village called Ellangown or Little
Texas, about twenty-five or thirty miles from
Baltimore, where / was engaged as teacher
for period of about five months. l there
and then got acquainted with Lewis J. WEIGH
man and John II. Surratt, who came to that
locality to nay 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 secessionist. In the course OF
the conversation l remember Surratt to have
said that President Lincoln would certainly
pay for all the men that were slain during
the war. About 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. l did not remain more than a
month at Washington, not being able to
agree with Weichman, and enlisted in the
army of the North, as stated in my first
statement in writing to General King.
II have met Surratt in Italy, at small
town called Velictri. He is now known
under the name of John Watson. l recog-
nized him before he made himself known to
me, and told him privately, You are John
ourratt, the person have known In Mary
lana. ne acknowledged he was, and begged
OF me to keep the thing secret After some
conversation, we spoke of the unfortunate
affair OF the assassination of President Lin
coin, and these were his words: Damn the
Yankees, they have killed my mother. But
nave done them as much harm as | could
we have killed Lincoln, the niggers friend. ;
he then said, speaking of his mother, Had
1t not been for me aud that coward WEIGH
man, my mother would be living now. 1t
was tear made him speak; had he kept his
tongue there was no danger. But if ever
return TO America or meet him elsewhere,
shall kill him. He then said he was in the
secret service of the South, and Welchman,
VINO was In some department there, used to
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 vet from
London. When left Canada, he said,
had but little money, but had a letter for
a party in London. / was in disguise, with
dyed hair and false beard; that party sent me
TO hotel, where he told me TO remain till l
would hear from him; after few weeks he
came and proposed to me to go to Spain, but
l declined and asked to go to Paris. He
gave him seventy pounds, with letter of
introduction to party there, who sent him
mere to Rome, where he Joined the Zouaves.
he says he can get money in Rome at any
time. believe he is protected by the clergy,
and that the murder is the result OF deep
laid plot, not only against the life of Presi-
dent Lincoln, but against the existence of
the Republic, as we are aware that priest
hood and royalty are and always have been
opposed to liberty. That such men as Sur
ratt, Booth, Weichman and others, should,
OF their own accord, plan and execute the
internal plot which resulted in the death of
President Lincoln, is impossible. There are
others behind the curtains who have to make
those scoundrels act.
II have also asked him If he knew Jeifer-
son Davis. He said not, but that he had
acted under instructions OF persons under
his Immediate orders. Being asked If JEFF
ierson Davis had anything TO do with the
ASSASSINATION, he said, i am not going to tell
ySs. cN"J InPiesslou 10 tndt ne Drought the
order from Richmond, as he was in the habit
Of going there weekly. He must have wished
the others to do it, for when the event took
place he told me he was in New York, pre-.
pared 10 ny as soon Rs the deed was done.
Tie says he does not regret what has taken
place and that he will visit New York in
year or two, as there is heavy shipping
firm there who had much to do with the
South, and he is surprised that they have
not been suspected This is the exact truth
OF what know about Surratt. More could
not learn, being afraid to awaken his suspi-
cions, and further do not say"