The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-21


The receipt of letter at the American Con-
sUlate in this city last evening, from the United
States authorities in Malta, compels me to
advert to a subject which may create some un-
easiuess. surratt, one of the conspirators
against the late President Lincoln, has been for
ten months or more in the service of the Pope
in the regiment of Zouayes, but quitting 1t and
hying from Rome, he arrived in Naples about
fortnight since, wearing the uniform Of the
Zouaves. On Sunday, the 18th, the American
Consul received a telegram from his colleague
in Rome to the effect that the SOi-diSom Wal
ters was none other than SurTatt, and ordering
HE immediate arrest. Immediate application
was made to the police of Naples, and every
possible facility afforded, but it was found they
were too late, and that the criminal had started
the night before by the Liverpool screw TripOH
Tor Malta and Alexandria.
The telegraph was then put in comm 1nication
with Nal a, and directions were given to the
Consul-General of the United States in that
island to arrest Walters Immediately on his
arrival. A letter received at the American Con.
sulate only last evening states that the TIjpoH
touched at Malta carly on Monday morning, the
lOth; that I he Consul Immediately applied for
power to arrest Surratt; that no answer was
returned till Just before the hour of the departure
Of the TrlDol for Alexandria; and that the an.
swer was in the negative, on the ground of there
being no authority for doing so. kilograms
have, therefore, been sent from the United
States representatives in Rome, Naples, and
Malta, to the Consul in Alexandria, and as yes
sells from Liverpool undergo aquarantine in that
city, it is fully expected that SurraUt will there
be captured. On what grounds the British
authorities in Malta declined to act is not known,
and it would be premature, therefore, to express
any opinion on the subject; put the mere fact
of their having declined has created the worst
possible feelings in the minds of Ameri-
can agents. The Consul at Malta expresses
the opinion that it was by "a mere
legal quioble' the head and front OF the
conspiracy was permitted to escape; ; and
here | have heard the refusal of the British
authorities TO act contrasted with the readiness
which was shown in America to give up Muller.
1t must, however, be clear to every dispas
sionate person that there is not the slightest
parallel between the two cases. In that of
Muller the Americal authorities had been
applied to some days before his arrival, and all
the forms observed which the Treaty OF Extra
ditlon required; in the present case a telegram
only conveyed the Information and demand. /
have reason to believe tnat despatch hash cen
already sent on to Mr.. Seward couched in the
strongest terms, and as Americans are disposed
to regard almost every act, word, and thought
of England as being hostile to them, some ditf-
Guilty may be expected. From the sympathy
and Indignation which were expressed in Eng
land at the time of the assassination of Mr.
Lincoln, and which were as deeply felt and eX-
pressed by every Englishman on the continent
with whom l came in contact, Lthe Americans
ought to feel that there can be no disposition on
our part to screen from justice any one who was
implicated in that heinous crime.
NAPLES November 29.-Since writing my last
letter have received the following details of the
adventures of Surratt since his arrival in Italy.
About ten months ago he entered the Ponudcal
service. and was drafted into the 9th Company of
Zouaves. Without the knowledge of either of
them, young man who had been educated
together with Surratt in the College of Maryland,
also entered the same service, and was enrolled
in the 4th Company of the Zouaves Having
been quartered in different places, they had never
met, but about six months ago both companies
were sent to the same locality to execute some
maneuvre against the brigands. On its compile
tion they met, and his companion addressed Sur
ratt by name; Drawing him aside, the lat
ter informed him he was now known
only John Watson. day or two
afterwards the companion, protesting to
be disGusted at serving with assassns,
sought out General King, American Minister at
Rome, and told him the whole affair. On being
assured that there was no mistake as to the
identity OF Surratt, the General desired the in
former to remain quiet, said he should ask his
Government for Instructions, and held out
promise of reward. The American Govern
ment, in reply, desired their Minister to secure
Surratt, and General King called on Cardinal
Antonelli and begged to know whether, iu' the
event of his identifying Surratt and wishing to
arrest him, his Eminence would permit it. The
Cardinal replied that, though ne treaty of ex
tradition existed between the two countries,
they we're in position to do as they liked, aud
could have no desire to shelter assasslns;
still, ne must consult his Holiness. Three
days later his Eminence sent for Gene.
raj King and showed him the orders for the
arrest, and on his own responsibility
afterwards sent to the commanding officer at
Velletri directions to secure SuTratt, who was
arrested at Yallecorsa. Though guarded by
five Zouaves, he manageable throw himself into
deep ravine, thus inhicting upon himself
severe injuries, the marks of which he bore on
his arrival in Naples, and, as Vallecorsa is only
crossed it.. Here he was arrested by the Custom
House authorities as having no passport and
being in the POntifcal uniform, but was shortly
released. On learning these facts, General
King, 1t Is said, felt aggreVed, and stated that he
had not requested his Eminence to arrest him.
but had only asked for power to do so in the
event of the demand being made He imme-
dlately communicated with Mr. Marsh, the Anne
rcan Minister at Florence, but Mr.. Marsh was
feting it al Venice with the King, and on
Mr.. Marsh's return, and calling on the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, he found that
his EXcellency was doing the same. Thus, much
time was lost, but the Secretary promised every
assistance, adding that, though Surratt were ar
rested, he felt assured his Government would
not give him up except on the condition of his
life being spared. This much was decided on
Thursday, the 18th instant and as Mr. Swan
the American Consul, did not receive any des
patch urging him to act until Sunday, the 18th,
ii was too late, as the bird had flown. To these
details may add that General King gave the
iDformer $3.50 - gold, and held out the promised
reward of $4,000 more on the arrest being
effected. If the American Government is really
desirous of securing its man. / am disposed Il
believe that il was with view to procure evi
dence of the completely OF Jefferson Davis II
the conspiracy against President Lincoln, anC
evidence of that or any other crime might
perhaps, be easily furnished by man wht