The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-08
LINCOLNS ASSASSINATION.
John II. Surratt's Account Of
His Completely in the Plot
Against the President.
MEETING WITH J, WILKES BOOTH I
Murder Never Observation-Disclosures
the Resolve.
FAILURE, OF THE PLOT.
How Surratt was Engaged by the
Confederate Agents.
THE ASSAS sINATIoN.
The First Intimation of it
in Elmira
FL I q T = TO g a N a y a.
-o~~~~~~~~>~r~->~~~~~~~--
Denunciation Of Judge Fisher
Allegation Against the
Government.
--,@S~~Sy>~~.~~~>~~<.-o t,.
AN ASYLUM FAR AWAY.
FIG 1T TO CA N a d a
Denunciation Of Judge Fisher
Allegation Against the
Government.
AN ASYLUM FAR AWAY.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 1870.
Last evening the usually quiet town OF Rockville
IN Maryland was tho scene OF great sensation
consisting OF lecture by John II. surratt concern
Ing the secret history OF Confederate conspiractes
which eliminated In the assassination OF Presiden
Lincoln. Since his trial ana acquttal upon charge
OF completely in that perndious plot surrat
has soJourned In Maryland, and his present sccupa
tlon is that OF school teacher In Rockville. In
order, as he says, to realize some funds-his remune
ration as school teacher being insufficient to NEE,
his wants-he determined to enter the field as q pub
Ilc lecturer Accordingly the following announce.
ment appeared in the Rockville paper:-'Lecture
by John Ii. Surratt Tuesday evening, December 8,
1870 John Ii. Surratt VIII deliver lecture In the
Court House in Rockville on ''his Introduction to
J. Wilkes Booth; the plot for the abduction OF Pre-
sident Lincoln, its failure and Abandonment;
mis- trip to Richmond and from thence
10 Canada and then by orders to Elmira, and what
was done there; his hearing OF the assassination of
President Lincoln; his escape back 10 Canada and
conceament there the efforts OF detectives to arrest
him, and means used 10 baflie them; his final de-
parture for Europe. Doors open at halEpast six;
lecture commences at seven. Admittance nifty cents
children half price,
As might be expected the Court House was
crowued, and the bar was occupied principally by
ladies, while all the remainder Of the available
space within the building filled with the other
sex-men and boys OF all ages. When
sURRATT APPEARED
Mt the appointed hour he proceeded at once 10 the
Judges bench and the Rockville cornet band,
which was IN attendance simultaneously struck up
lively air. He was dressed in suit OF gray, and
the Confederate color suited at the subject OF
the lecture and The sentiments OF some who listened
to 1t. Full OF confidence he arose and Immediately
proceeded TO speak as folows:-
TIE LECTURE.
LADIES AND GENrLEMEN-Upon entering That
door few moments ago the impression on my mind
was so strong as 10 wildly recall scenes OF three
years ago. l am not unacquainted with court
room audiences (Sensation) have stood before
them before, but not In the character OF lee.
turer, but as a prisoner at the bar, ar
ragned Tor the high crime Of murder. In
contrasting the two positions, must confess
felt more at ease the prisoner at the bar tnan
do as a lecturer. Then felt confident OF success
now do not. Then / had gentlemen OF known
ability to do all my talking for me-now, unfortu
natey, have to do 1t Tor myself and feel lily capa
bic Of performing the task. Sun nope you VIII al
judge me ndly. i am not here to surpris,
you by any oratorica effort. Not at ALL but only Z
tell a simple tale. / feel that some explanation
perhaps, indeed an apology, is due you for m!
appearance here this evening. In presenting TIT!
lecture before the public I do 1t In no split O
selfJustidcation. In trial of slxty-oDe day
made my defence to the world, and have no neet
or desire to rehearse 1t, nor 40 appear for self
glorilcation. on the contrary dislike notoriet,
and leave my solitude and obscurIty unwingly
Neither Is IL anything for notoriety or fame
My object Is merely 10 present simple mar
ratlye OF events IS they occurred. j stant
hpra nf hat Nhl ha
obliged many other men TO do things quite as dis
tasterul-pecunary necessity. for the supply o
which no more available channel presents itself
this Is reason easily appreciated; so you vii
take II kindly.
sukRATr's ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF
trust the ground we will have to go over to-
gether Will guarantee sufficient interest to repay
your kind attention In tins, my first lecture l will
speak OF my Introduction to J. wilkes Booth, his
plan, It's failure our final separation. my trip from
Richmond and thence 10 Canada, then my orders to
Elmira, what was done there the first intlmation i
had OF Mr.. Ltncon's death, my return 10 Canada
and cOnceament there and final departure for
Europe. Al the breaking ont Of the war | was a
student al 81. Charles College in Maryland, but did
not remain long there alter mat important event.
left III July, 1901, and, returning home commenced
OF that period ] was not more tnan elgil.
teen years Of age, ana was mostly engaged
In sending Information regarding the movements OF
the United state Army stationed In Washington
and elsewhere aud carving dispatches to the Con-
federate boats on the Potomac We had regular
established line rom Washington TO the Potomac,
and /, being the only unmarried man the route,
had most OF the hard riding to DO. laugh.
teri l devised various ways to carry the
despatches-somet;mes In the heel OF my boots,
sometimes between the planks OF the buggy. con.
fess that never In my life did come across
O more stupid sci OF detectives than
States government. They seemed TO have
no Idea whatever how TO search men. In 1854 my
family left Maryland and moved To Washington,
where took still active part In the stirring events
OF that period. 1t was fascinating life to me. II
seemed as II could not do too mu;h or run too
great risk. in the fall OF 1864 was
INTRODUCED TO J. WILKES BooTH
who, | was given 10 understand, wished TO know
something about the main avenues leading from
Washington TO the Potomac We met several tines,
purposes and very anxious 10 get all the informa.
ton out OF me lie could, refused to tell him any
thing al all. At last said TO HIM,
at is useless Tor YOU, Mr., Booth, 10 seek any IN
formation at all; know WHO you are and what are
your Intentions
lie hestated some time, but finally said he would
make known bus views 10 me provided would pro.
mise secresy.
replied 81 win do nothing OF the Kind. You
know well am southern man. II you casnot trust
me we will separate.p
lie then said, 81 WIN conade my plans TO you but
before doing so VIII make known 10 you the mo-
tives that actuate me.p
BOOTH BECOMES COMMUNICATIVE
'In the Northern prisons are many thousands OF
our men whom the United States government refuses
TO exchange. You know, wen as l. the efforts that
have been made TO bring about that much desired
exchange. Aside from the great suffering they
arc compelled to undergo, we are sadly In want OF
them as soldiers. We cannot spare one man where
as the United states government is willing TO let
their own soldiers remain In our prisons because IL
has no need OF the men. ! have pro-
II we carry out VIII bring about the de-
yired exchange