New-York tribune., 1879-05-06
PRESTON KINGS DEATB.

rurprov vrFD ASSERTS THAT MRS. sURRATTs
EVICTION HAD NOT THE REMOTEsr CoNNEC-
7roN WITH Mr.. KINGS sUICIDE-MENTAL ABER-
ration PRODUCED ny THE PRESSURE OF DUTIES
TO WHOSE DISCHARGE He WAS UNsUTED.
70 me Edtt0r Of Ths Tribune.
Srp. The memory of the Hon. Edwin NJ. Stanton,
President Lincoln's Secretary of War, has been
fully vindicatcd from the accusation OF his having
committed suicide from remorse occasoned by ms
share in the responsibility of Mrs. Surrati's cxecu-
tlop. II was alleged by the same authority that
remorse from the same cause drove the Iate
Pr.stoD King to commit suicide. This accu-
sation is equally unfounded aud unjust.
II is trne that Mr. King committed sui
eide. but it is utterly untrue that the execution
ofMrs. surratt was in his mind or in his thoughts
or was i'm any manner the occasion of the painful
alteration which Occasoned bis death. Twenty
years before the fatal act which deprived this State
of the services Of one Of its useful. patriotic
md honored citizens, MT. Kings reason LOST It's
balance. which, however, after several months
treatment i'm an insane retreat, was restored UnIli
few DAYS before his death none Of his friends ap-
prebeDded a return Of his malady. Indeed, his
mental and physical health had been so long and
50 we'll assured that the temporary alienation ha1
been almost forgotten.
When. soon after President Lincoln's death Col
laotOT for this Port was TO be appointed, Nj. hlhe
was asked bv Governor seward and myself 10 ac-
cent IL. lie expressed doubts as 10 his fitness. but
after some reflection yielded q reluctant consent.
Icame from Washington to Ncw-York with him.
He took room opposite to mine at the Astor
House. which he occupied until his death Ii soon
became evident that the Office was unsuitcd to his
tastes and habits. He endeavorcd 10 grasp and dis
charge duties and details thai belonged TO depu-
ties. lie soon betrayed nevons apprenen-
sion of pecuaiaIy responsibility that might
occasion loss to his bondsnen. His mind
was so much disturbed that con-
f rred with his Ogdenslurg friends, who ex-
pressed the hope and belief, which entertained.
tbat as he became accustomed 10 his duties his
mind would be relieved. II tins. however, we were
a sapr0n-ed. His frequent suggestion or Teslgnlng
his office finally resulted in settled determination
He came from the Custom House TO my room to
show me his letter of resignation winch was IN
Tended for the mail that evening urged O delay
of tveutv-isur hours, first, with hope that he
1urht be induced 10 withhold It, and next, time Tor
cousuI-a'rag as 10 successor. This seemed TO re-
Geve hIu and be remained with me ID better spirits
than usual Till late hour IN the evening. Ihe
result however. proved that 1 made a fatal
mi,taEe m not allowing his letter of resignation 20
~ 90 Washington that evening. lie rose early the
neXt morning saying to a young relative VINO slept
IN the same room with hlm. tnat lac would take
walk alone before breakfast. On his way TO the
JERSEY Ct- ferry he purchased a bag OF shot which
was concealed upon his person, and Jumping from
the fcUybo3t into the river, sank immediately
Ina dute- and respOuslbIlirie Of office unsuited
% him pg --ed TOO heavily upon his sensitive men
tal 0rsauz3i0n. ltls to that cause alone that ms
suicld. s attributable. T.W.
AeE-Ivr., Nav 4, 1879.