The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-04
oSR SPECIAL CosREsPeSDEHCE.
JOHN II. suRRATT.


Since the Assassin tion-Accidcnt, and Coin-
cidcnfs for q Time In His Favsr-The Action
ofthe Papal and British Authorities. 6sc.
st40a p3.ai R0M Dec. Q, 1865.
The news OF Surratts capture by our authorities in
Alexandria win have been flashed to you ong before the
receipt u this but the particulars Of his life since the
assassination and Of his subsequent not
likely to have found their way to America and cannot
fail to prove OF interest to all As obtain all the facts
OF the case from The very best authority tho correctness
OF the account may be relied on h 81
Late in October the Quilted states Minister at Rome
General Rufus King, received intelligence through
various channels that q. man named Watson, serving
q private in the Papai Zouaves. other than
Surrat Of the accomplces in Mr. Lincolns assass-
nation From subsequently, Obtained Information II
appears that this fact we'll known TO -some OF
Suraus brothers arms and others also in Rome
of his participation In the po, and that the
name he going under assumed one. Not.
withstanding this he was always made comfortable
wherever he went supplied with money by sympa-
thzers and admitted to the companionshp OF we'll
known residents In Rome 20 - 'fP
General King, knowing tina. no extradition treaty
existed between the United States and Papa govern.
monts understood at that dif.uty would be
met with in securing the person Of tho man. He
Immediately to Cardinal Anonell, stated the case, and
in return received Cardinals promise that should
sufficient proof OF suratps Identification b given,
under tho extraordinary the legal rights
Of the would be waived and the prisoner
dersd General King for Instructions from Wash
lngton, and busted himself obtaining the necessary
proofs 1880 ssF
On the 7th OF November, late At night, he received
from Cardinal Antoneni message containing the in
formation that Suratt whom the Papal authorities had
secured Of their FREQ will awaiting General Kings
demand for his arrest. had escaped from The Popes
n~-~ f.
formed Of the directed that prevent all doubts
70 his desire justice done, Suat should be m
prsonod until General King could be in position to
claim him ON proof Of identity. This was done
without the United States Minister'S knowledge or
request and evincs sincere desire on the part OF
tle Papa authorities waive teshncalities whore
justice and right demand satisfaction. Surratt
thrown into prison in high tower on the edge
OF . steep precipce, whore narrow ledge, twenty
eight feet below the windows Of tho room In which he
was confined, was tho only break to almost per-
pendcuar drop Of couple Of hundred feet II seems
he must have gained inking OF the for his
sudden arrest and Imprisonment and determined TO
make his escape To do this he requested permission.
afsr good dinner and smoke (ths follow was very
comfortably kept retire water closet In there
OF sight OF the scntries In his ROOM and
had time spring out OF the window upon tho ledge
overhanging the precpice 1t is now stated with what
truth cannot say, thai tvo men with outstretched
blanket broke the fall At all events IN Jumping out he
severely bruised his back and shoulder but got away
Tho colonel Of the regiment which furnished the detach
mont guard In the castle has certificate that
within ve inmates OF the discovery OF his escape say
ten minutes from the time he 1rst entered the
closet nfty men and some officers were despatched
In pursuit. but fruitlessly.
The escape made dark night and Surratt
knew every inch OF the ground The frontier close
1t hand and 1t out OF the question for tho Papd
guards to follow him beyond It
ofnfnr Gan.
King teegrapbed 10 Mr. Marsh. United States Min
lister Rome, the Information Of surratts escape, d.
scibod his dress the still In uniformly and requested
that all United States Consuls In Italian ports might DO
informed Of the and directed arrest tho
zion that person answering sur~tts description bad
been seen Sorrei. Mr. Hunter, Secretary OF Lega-
Tor al started Sss for that but Ssy n NINE
uniform. his way 20 Naples. This no tcesraphed TO
Florence, Rome and Naples and returned I The next
Rraphed TO General King the unfortunate intelligence
that surratt bad sailed for Alexandria He had been fosr
days Naples three Of which passed prison,
the authorities suspected hun aud placed him In conne
mont till he claimed 20 DO British subject and was re-
s a. the
abng him pay his passage to Alexandria, ignorant Of
course OF whom he was or his antecedens 10 Naples
Surratt stated that be Canadian, who had served
the Papai Zouaves for ten months, been imprisoned
for naturalization and escaped from confinement The
bruises on bis back and uniform confirmed his story ana
rhe Tripoi ! Peninsula and Oriental Company's
coal Al Malta and remain there twenty tour hours Gen.
esi King and the United states Consul both teegraphed
70 the Consul Malta 70 arrest surras On tne arrival
20 the British authorities for permission TO do So and
Informed them Of the circumsances but notwthstand-
nnd necessary proof within the time required hts appl
cation for Suraus surrender refused the ground
o. llegahiya strange contrast 70 the conduct Of tho
Meanwhile General King was informed Of this, and
he Immediately telegraphed the Consul at Alexandria
val ia that port To this message came back an answer
from the ss,srsPe COMPANY TIA; The cable was e n
wsrded from the island by the rs The Consul
~ Malta also forwarded information his colleague at
Alexandria and took steps which guaranteed The letter
being delivered to him before any persons allowed
60 land Ut alexandria Il 10 somewhat extraordinary
senton should have been forwarded on Tie same
as Che man himself w
at Alexandria came board with the necessary sutho
rity for Surras arrest secured bin and put him jail,
whore be nov Hes safely guarded Awaiting the arrival d
70 Civta vccchla and thence 70 Rome FOR identified
ton Thus, after an extraordinary combination Of
ents all tending facilitate Surratts escape,
escape from prison, and his good fortune at Naples after
the difficulties thrown In the way q justice BY the Eng
Ilsh authorities At Malta, and Notwithstanding the inop
perfume breaking OF tho tslcgrsphic CABLE the consp
tor Hes In the power OF United States authorities for
or % navs mot ss slightest
IAN told BY peuons who havs received letters from
nun Hcfe tuat Nv ~ uikuty euucateu young man.
late companions state that he is OF good appearances
and manner about twenty three years OF age and pos
sesssd Of talent and vivacsy. t4X N
He came 70 Rome from Canads With letters OF intro
ducton from The Lord Bishop OF Canada studied for
month Ia On English academy ana then enlisted In the
Papa Zouavss He always well supplied with money
By persons In Rome who knew his previous history
The information which led 10 his capture given
30 General King By French Canadian named st. Marie,
Who had ssrvsd IN regiment o. shs Union army ST.
Marie who IL appears also queer character, knew
Surran 10 Maryland. and recognized him Immediately
whom he Joined the fApal service. y.
ssrasf ever atsn6esd 70 Disguise the feet that he
Hal bean = - onoeplrney: On ehe cousrary he