Mr. Marsh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: In pursuance of the request made by my note of the 16th instant to the ministry of foreign affairs, reported in my last despatch, the ministry ordered the local authorities at Sora to keep watch of Surratt for the time being, but no further proceedings were had; nor did I receive any additional information on the subject until Thursday, the 22d instant. On that day I received a letter from Mr. King, a copy of which is hereto annexed, and communicated it to the ministry of foreign affairs.
I am not advised whether Mr. King’s information in respect to Surratt’s having been at Sora proved accurate or not.
I have no information in respect to Mr. King’s instructions from the State Department, and I have been at a loss to conjecture their nature, because Mr. Macpherson stated to me that Mr. King had not made any request to the Papal government for Surratt’s arrest, and that that government acted proprio motu in the matter. Still, as Mr. King has telegraphed to the consul at Malta, I presume he has felt himself authorized to request the consul-general at Alexandria to take measures for the arrest of Surratt, if found in Egypt, though his letter does not state that he has done so.
My present impression, judging from my last interview with the secretary general of foreign affairs, is that the accused would not have been surrendered; and it would therefore be fortunate if he should be found in the Turkish empire, where the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the consuls would empower them to arrest and detain him without offence to the Turkish government.
I have been surprised to find that the Florence correspondent of the London Morning Post is quite well informed as to the history of the case up to the time of Mr. Macpherson’s departure. * * * * * I can readily imagine that the correspondent could extract from him all he was able to recollect on the subject.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.