Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-08

Surratt desired to see him. After he
had finished his breakfast, instead Of re-
turning to his Office by the private way
as usual, he went round by way OF the
main staircase. where he met Miss Sur
raft. What followed is related in the
Star of Friday afternoon, July 7, 1860 !;
lScIDRXTs AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
eAbout halfpast eight o'clock this
morning Miss Surratt accompanied Dy
a female friend, again visited the Wnite
House, having been there last evening
for the purpose Of obtaining an interview
with the President. President johnson
having given orders that he would re-
ceiye no one to-day, the doorkeeper
stonned Miss Surratt at the foot OF the
stens leading up to the President s office,
and would not permit her to proceed
further. She then asked permission to
see General Mnssey, the Presidents mil
itary secretary, who promptly answered
he summons, and came down stairs
where Miss Surratt was standing. AS
soon as the General made his appear
ance Miss Surratt threw herself on her
knees before him, aud catching him by
the coat, with loud sobs and streaming
ewes, implored him to assist her IN OBJ
tanning a hearing with the President.
General Mussey, in as tender manner
as possible, informed Miss Surratt that
he could not comply with her request, as
President Johnson's orders were imper-
alive and hewould receive no one" That
the President knew Of Miss Snrratt s
presence at the White House on Friday,
and of her desire to see him IN her
mothers behalf, General Mussey has no
doubt whatever. Early on Friday
morning. while the President was
being shaved, be sent for General
Mussev. who slept in the White House,
and who was in bed at the time. Cen
eral Massey, believing that the President
desired to see him at once on important
business, hastily slipped on his pants,
and without waiting to finish his toilet
obeyed his summons, when the President
said "Colonel, i have received q long |
telegram this morning, which | wish you
would read; but there was no special
hurry about It," 1t was an appeal for
rlemeney in behalf of the conspirators,
and General Mussey read the main
points Of the dispatch aloud. AT one
point the sender of the dispatch con-
ended that the execution Of the parties
would be unconstitutional, because they
we're tried by a military instead of
civil tribunal. At this juncture the
President interrupted the reading to
saw sob, that point has already been
settled" Just before noon the con-
,pirators we're to be executed between
he hours of twelve m. and two pm.
The President came into General Nus
,ey's Office and said, Colonel, don't
You 10 down to the arsenal until
lee YOU again" Acting under the i'm
that the President had some
.hought of reprieving one or all OF
he conspirators, General Mussey had
, horse hsrnessed to the President S
,oune and driven in front OF the White
House. where it remained until after the
execution was over. He took these pre-
,antions. thinking that the President
might desire to send him down to the
arsenal in hurry, in which case he
would be able to start at moment
notice. Mr. johnson some time ago
,ook occasion to say that when he APP
proved the findings and sentence against
he conspirators he was not aware that
very member Of the court that tried
hem with enc exception) had united
n au earnest recommendation for the
pardon of Mrs. Surratt not because they
Believed her innocent Of the charges
brought against her, but because of her
Iex. General Mussey is positive that
,e did see this recommendation, which
vas prominent featura OF the, court
martial record, and says that he lthe
RESIDENT argued at that time that II
FRS. Surratt was guilty, as the entire
curt believed, he could see no reason
whatever for exercising executive Glenn
ncy in her case simply because she was
. woman