American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-06-19

to commence in Washington City soon.
Latterly, it is said, much important tes-
timony has been obtained, which will
shed much light not only on the ques-
ton of his gull but on the history of
the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln. Wri,
ting on this subject, the correspondent
of the New York Herad takes the fol>
lowing @ ...
PEEP BEHIND THE CURTAIN
The contemplated trial of Surratt
attracts a considerable share of public
attention, and the interest therein is be-
coming more and more profound, as the
day appointed for the event approaches.
But this interest is not of the character
which murder trials and trials involving
human life usually and naturally awaken;
nor does it arise out of partisanship
caused by hostility on the one hand and
sympathy on the other toward the accused,
for the late enemies of the Union and OF
Lincoln, not less than their friends
despise and detest Surratt for his COW
ardly and matricldal coniuct in abandon
ing his mother. and would not regret TO
see the severeSt punishment that could
be devised inflicted upon him. But the
interest chiefly arises and lies IN the facts,
which are being gradually developed aud
understood, that the aim Of those who are
managing the prosecution is not to con,
vict Surratt with view of causing him
to expatiate his crime on the gallows, but
in order that they may, after his convie-
ton, by offering him immunity. which
cansbe secured by an act Of Congress,
obtain from him disclosures and facts
duplicating jeff Davis in the assassina>
ton, which it Is confidently believed the
abject coward wsuldsreadily give to save
his own liteg a On the other hand, the
counsel for Sufratt are not defending
him simply for their fees, or from de,
sire toisecure his acqultta on his account
alone, but rather TO protect and save
certain more distinguished friends and
clients who stand in the back ground
whom they apprehend the cowardly Sur
ratt would, If convicted, to save himself
expose So, at least, assert the K ideals
who are managing the prosecution. |
have heard it from the lips of more than
one of the most distinguished OF their
number and | am certain that whether
they ate correct or not, they firmly be-
lleve in the truth of the assertion Nor
does the assertions, remai kabe ds it is,
appear to be without some foundation.
1t is well known to few intending your
correspondent, that overtures have been
made to Surratt to the effect that if he
would disclose the names of all who par.
ticipated in the assassination conspiracy,
and the part tax n by each, which il is
believed would implieate Mr. Davis,
not pros would be enter d in his case,
and anlact passed by Congress relieving
him fiom all legal responsibility on ac-
count Of his participation in the atrocIons
crime. These overtures, 1t is further
known, were made through Father WaI-
tiers, the Catholic priest who attends
Surratt, and Miss .Surratt, who daily
visits her brother in his cell How the
proposal was received when presented by
Father Walters, or what advice, if any,
was given by his reverence, is not posi-.
tivelyaknown, their interviews being
entirely private but from the conver.
sations of Surratt with his sister, which
always take place in presence of one of
the Keepers of the Jail, and, although
conducted in an undertone, can, in the
main, be overheard, it lis clear, upon the
information of one of said keepers, very
Intelligent and reliable man, that the
cuIprit is by no means confident of an
acquittal and is disposed to listen 20 any
propositions, the acceptance whereof
can save him from felon's doom.
On the 28th ultimo, the day after Sur
raft was brouguht to Court for trial, he
was visited by his sister, who found him
in q detected and lachrymose condition,
and to whom he complained, as he also
did later in the day, to DR.. Duhamel,
Prison physician, of being ILL., His sis
ter observed to him that he should not al
low so tfIfling adelay (referring to the