Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-22
NEWS AND MISCELLANY.
SurraIt, the AssassIn-HOE he was Traced
and Arrested.

SurraIt, the AssassIn-BOV he was Traced
and Arrested.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-The cores
pOndence sent to the House to-day,
touching the arrest of John ii. Surratt,
covers about one hundred fOolscap
pages. 1t establishes, conclusively,
that the State Department. has known
SuFratt's whereabouts since early last
MAY, thus verifying the assertion made
by Governor Boutwell,. The cOrrespOn-
dence includes letters from Consul Gen
erel Potter, of Montreal, our Consul mt
Liverpool. Ministers King, Marsh aud
Harvey, Consul General Hale. of Egypt,
&c. 1t appears from the papers that
Surratt spent some time, after the assas-
sinatiOn, IN Canada, at Three Rivers,
being protected by the Catholic denomi-
nation, though it is not known that his
identity was known to them. Thence
he went to Londonderry, Ireland, and
was for a while Ii the Catholic oratOry
of that city, leaving there for Rome
early In the present year. At Rome he
enlisted in the Papal ZOuaves, serving
IN that body until arrested in NOvem-
Der. The correspondence shows that
the Government has the names of vari-
Gus vessels In which he sailed from point
to point, and generally a tolerably
full account of his jOurneyings, and
disasters. Among the papers is a state
ment from person name withheldl
who crossed the Atlantic with him, and
who communicates through the Consul
at Liverpool. SurTatt was then passing
under the name of Macarty. He adj
mitted 20 the witness that Booth and
himself originated the assassination
conspiracy, and intimated, without
actually saying so, that JEFF. Davis was
privy thereto. He claimed that ho was
IN New York the night the murder was
committed, on his way TO Canada. He
owned to making frequent trips be-
tween Richmond, Washington and
Canada, and said his business was well
known to many persons In Richmond.
He expressed great satisfaction at the
death of Lincoln. His hair add whis-
kers were dyed, and he seemed plenti-
fully supplied with money. His general
appearance was so changed that it was
almost impossible to recognize him,
and although the Consul at Liverpool
knew his exact whereabouts while in
England, he slipped away before his
identity could be established. Such
observation had been kept of his ac-
tions that it was known on the day he
slipped that he was bound for Rome
Minister King was properly advised.
The story of his Identification and
arrest in Italy is very interesting. 1t
appears that on the odd of April, man
whose name is also withheld, called on
Mr.. King and stated that he had known
Surratt In Washington and Maryland,
and that he was then under the name
of John WATSON, serving in the Papal
Zouaves. The Minister was surprised,
and at first could hardly believe the
story. His informant was closely ques-
toned, however, and Mr.. King finally
concluded that he was telling the truth.
The report was sent to Mr.. Seward, and
a long correspondence between Messrs.
Seward, Hale, Stanton and King follow
ed. The full statement Of the witness
was taken down, showing that he had
been q school teacher in Prince George
County, Maryland that he knew Sur
raft, Weichman, Mrs. Surrstt and 9TH
ers of that circle, and that he was well
informed relative to all Surratt's affairs.
He said Surratt had told him of the
conspiracy had admitted his mothers
guilt, had expressed satisfaction at Lin
coins murder, had given him to under
stand that Davis was implicated, and
had expressed his purpose to return to
New York In a year or two. A photo
graph Of Surratt was sent from this
country, and Mr.. King employed dis
Greet person to compare his features
With those of the Papal soldier, and the
identity of SurTatt, then passing as
WATSON, was thus fully established.
Two or three interviews had taken
place between Mr.. King and Cardinal
ARtOnelli, and the Cardinal was fully
informed of Mr.. Kings knowledge,
suspicious and plans. We have no Elk
tradition Treaty with the Pope, ana
therefore could not demand Snrratt.-
Orders were, however, given by the
Cardinal, while the investigation was
going on, that neither the criminal nor
the witness, who was also in the Papal
service, should be discharged without
specific directions. Mr.. King. by Mr..
Stewards directions. asked if Surratt
would be delivered up on the proper
indictment and proof, and he was
promptly answered In the affirmative.
The Cardinal seems from the begin
ming to have most promptly seconded
the efforts of our Government in the
matter, and he himself ordered the ar
rest of Surratt, as soon as his identity
had been fully established, and the nee
essary legal steps had been taken.
The fact of his arrest and escape
from a guard of six men is already
known, The orders of the Papal au
thorities, and the regular reports of the
Papal military officers touching the
matter, are included in the correspon
dence. The Cardinal expressed great
regret at Surratt's escape. The mos
Tigilant efforts we're at once resorted Il
for his nearest. He was traced to {
hospital at Sara, and thence to Naples
passing in the latter city under the name
of Walters. He escaped from Maple!
before he could be arrested. The au
thorities knew be had taken the steamer
for Alexandria, and the necessary In
formation and suggestions were at ones
sent to Consul General Hale. Assist
ant Naval Secretary Fox had reached
Rome about this time, and he and Mr.
King sent word to Admiral Goldsbor
ough, through Minister harvey at Lis
bon, to despatch one of his vessels o
war into the Eastern Mediterranean.
MIR. Hale effected Surratt's arrest a
soon as the vessel on which be sale,
from Naples reached Alexandria, and q
once advised Mr.. Seward. Orders wer
sent to Admiral Goldsborough, by Sec