Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-11
THE sURRArr CORRESPONDENTS

III
Surratt. Ihis correspondence Is very volumi-
nons, and entirely relieves Secretary Seward
Of the imputatIon that he had Iailed or ted
10 use proper efforts 10 secure the arrest of this
fugitive.
CONSUL wILDIN6 TO SECRETARY SEWARD.
LIVERPOOL, Sept. ~. ls65.-Mr. WiIdinr
informs Mr. Seward that Surratt had arri yed
or was expected to arrive IN I.iyerpoel lie
InclOsed the affidavit OF a person whose name
is not made known, but VINO, IL seems was a
cohhdant OF Surratt, stating all the partlcuIars
of his voyage from Canada, and his CONVERSE
uon Oh the way. Surratt confessed TO ha We
been ia the Confederate service. and his special
business was 10 carry intelligence from Wash.
Ington TO Richmond. He also declared that the
plan TO kIdnap and carry off President Lincoln
was concocted by himself and J. Wilkes Booth
He says he arrived in Canada before the assas
sination of MIR. Lincoln, and while there re.
celVed letter from Booth saving that IL had
become necessary TO change theIf plans and
requesting him TO come Immediately to Wash
lngton. But he did rot say whether he re-
turned as requested, but remarked that on ms
way back 10 Canada the train was DELAYED ar
ST Catharines, and while sitting at the breakfast
table, a gentlemaR next to him mentioned the
report of the ASSASSINATION, and that he McI,ar
thy, cor, as he then called himself, Harrison
replied that IL was too good to be true The
gentleman took newspaper from his pocket
ana read an account OF the occurrence, and
MCCARTHY, surprised at finding his own name
mentioned, Immediately left. On Sunday
evening be had related to me long con versa
ton held with Mr. s*#*, of Richmond, and I
now, sir, what must call youl He promptly
answered "Surratt" This was before onr
arri' al at Londonderry. have not seen Sur
raft since, but believe he is in Iiyerpool
CONSUL wILDING TO SECRETARY sRwARD
LIVERPOOL, Nov. 30, lo65.-Mr WiIdino
says, since my despatch of the 22d in nstan, the
supposed Snrratt has arrived in Liverpool,
but Mr. Adams advises me that under the
present evidence of identity and complicitv ~
would not be polite 10 cause his arrest. In
conversation with Mr.. -, of. Surratt de-
ha
yet 10 give good account of President John
son.
Mr. HUNTER TO Mr.. wILDING.
Under date of October 10, Is6j, Mr. Hunter
Assistant Secretary of State, writes To Mr.
Wiiding that, on consultation with the Sec
retary OF War and Judge Advocate Holt, IL
is not thought advisable TO take any steps at
present Tor the arrest OF the supposed Surratt
NI. KING To MR.. SEWARD
ROME, April 23 lS56.-Mr. King writes TO
Mr.. Seward informing him that John Surratt
had enlisted in the Sd Papal Zouaves at SeZZe.
under the name OF Watson, and had admitted
that his true name was Surratt and acknowI-
edged MS participation in plotting against the
NE OF President Lincoln. He declared that he
had never seen Jefferson Davis. but thatit was
understood that be had melted or was priyy
10 the plot. Mr.. Kings informant saws Sur.
ratt seemed TO be well provided with money
ana appealed 10 him not to betray his secret
The Informer expresses an earnest desire that
II any steps be taken towards reclaimiug sur
raft as a criminal, his name should not be made
MR. SEWARD To Mr. STANTON.
Under date of May l.. 1850, Mr. Seward in
forms Mr.. Stanton of the foregoing informa-
ton and lays before him Mr.. King letter and
enclosure.
MR.. STANTON TO Mr.. SEWARD.
Under date of May 10. 1856, MIR. stanton ac-
knowledees the receipt Of The documents, and
says he had referred the same TO Judge Adyo.
cate General Holt, who advises that the full
statement OF the informant be first procured
verified under oath, and that after wards pro-
a akaK fnrf fh.a
posed criminal
MR. SEWARD TO MR. STANTON.
Under date of May 2s. 1s66, Mr.. Seward sug.
gests TO the Secretary of War that, as we have
no extradition treaty with the Papal Govern
ment, special agent be sent to Rome to de-
mand the surrender of Surratt
MR.. KING TO NIB. SEWARD.
ROVE, June 23-Mr King reports that he
had had another long conversation with MI
-, which fully confirms his belief in the
statements which his informant has committed
TO writing. he says that Surratt has fully
confessed his own completely, and admitted
his mothers guilt or participation. This wit
ness says he was at one time teacher in the
village of Texas, Md. and declares himself
prepared to GO to the United States. He still
wishes his name kept secret, fearing that his
life would be endangered II divulged. Surratt
also remarked to him that he was in New York
ready TO fly when the assassination occurred,
and does not regret what had taken place.
MR.. KING TO Mr.. SEWARD.
n, RoNE, July "a, ls46-Mr. KING returns to
sworn TO by the informant.
MR. KING TO MR. SEWARD.
RoME, August :, 1S66.-Mr. King says he
explained the whole affair to the auth critics ip
Rome, when his Eminence expressed himself
as greatly interested, and intimated that il the
American Government desired a surrender of
the criminal there woald probably be no diff
Guilty in the way.
MR.. SEWARD TO NIB KING.
WAsHINGToN, October 10. ls66-Mr. Seward
encloses to Mr.. King photograph of Surratt
selected 10 visit telietri, and compare this
photograph with the supposed criminal He
also suggests that proper compensation be al
lowed the informant, and directs him TO seek
positive formation of the authorizes whether
his Holiness would be willing to surrender
Surratt, or whether he would be willing to en-
ter into q general lextradItion treaty. Mr. King
was also instructed TO ask that neither Surratt
nor - be DISCHARGED until there could be a
full investigation of the matter, and time given
10 make demand for them. -.
MR.. KING TO Mr.. SEWARD.
ROME, November 9, le66.-Mr. King saws he
bad fall interview with Cardinal AntoneIIi
who promptly responded that he would give
up Surratt upon proper indictment and proof
ana at TIE request OF the United States, if the
latter Government would do likewise under
favorable circumstances. Mr., King also re-
piled that he wonid send 4 confidential person
10 compare Surratts photograph with the sup
posed criminal. -.s
MR.. KING TO Mr.. SEWARD.
ROME. Nov. IO.-Cardinal Antonelli apprisad
Mr.. King that Surratt, or Watson, had been
arrested by his order, ttie CARDINALS but on
the way to Rome, had escaped from a guard OF
six men. The Cardinal expressed great regret
at Surratfs escape. All the orders of the PapaI
Government and the reports Of the Papal Of
ficers concerning the arrest and escape were
enclosed. .a..
On November ~ Messrs. King and Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Fox sent word 10 MIN
Ister Harvey, at Lisbon, to direct Admiral
Goldsborough to send an United States vessel
10 Civita Eecchia upon important business.
Mr. MARSH TO NR. SEWARD.
FLORENCE, Nov.is lS67.-Mr. Marsh reports
that he had, Immediately upon his arrival
from Naples, had an inter yiew with the Seere-
tary General OF the Minister OF Eoreiga Az
fairs, and asked him II he thought the Italian
Government would surrender Surratt IL he
should OF found in Italian territory. The Sec
retary General reptile that he believed Surratt
would De surrendered by that Government on
proper demand by the United States and proof
of the identity Of the criminal, but that this
would probabiy be done only under the stpu.
laiioB, 9pon the part of the United States au-
thoriiies, that the puni shInent OF death should
not be inflicted upon the criminal so surren-
dered.
CONSUL HOWARD AT NAPLES TO MR.. KING
The Consul General reports that SurraIt nai
been hu nted for at Naples, aud that it had bsen
ascertaiped that nnder the name Of Watsrs, he
had the day before proceeded in the regular
st amer 10 Alexandra. Mr.. King thsreupou