Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. King to Mr. Seward.

No. 57.]

Legation of the United States, Rome, June 23, 1866.

Sir: In my anxiety to reply at once to despatch No. 36 from the State Department, received on the 19th instant, I had only time for a brief reference to the interview and conversation which I enjoyed with the Pope on the day that my last communication was written. His Holiness spoke at some length of the impending European war, and condemned very strongly the course pursued by Prussia. On the other hand, he highly commended the Austrian Emperor for the moderation and ability which he had displayed, and did not at all disguise his sympathies for the success of the Austrian arms. In reply to my question as to the probability of his going to his country residence at Castel Gandolfo during the heats of summer, his Holiness said that as yet it was undecided; his movements would necessarily depend upon the progress and incidents of the war; but if matters continued quiet in the Papal States, as he seemed to anticipate, he should probably go to the mountains in the course of next month.

Adverting to American affairs, the Pope expressed his sincere gratification at the rapid recovery of the United States from the destructive effects of the late war, and the evident progress making towards the complete restoration of peace and union; and he begged me to convey to the President the assurance of his lively sympathy, as well as of his cordial approbation of the policy which the Executive had thus far pursued. He wished the President all success, he said, in the good work he had so well begun and was so earnestly prosecuting. I thanked his Holiness for this friendly expression of his sentiments, and; assured him that it would give me great pleasure to communicate them to the proper department.

Thursday last, the 21st instant, was the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the coronation of the present Pontiff, and as such was duly commemorated by the Roman people. Yet, notwithstanding the fact that the Pope is held in general reverence and regard, the liveliest interest is felt here in the progress of the Austro-Italian war, and the success of Victor Emanuel’s arms anxiously desired, as involving the future status of this imperial city and its final release from civil and ecclesiastical thraldom. But however it may fare with Venice, there is no present probability that Rome will become part of the Italian kingdom.

In compliance with the suggestion contained in your last despatch, (No. 36,) I communicated immediately with St. Marie at Velletri, and received from him yesterday the accompanying document. I had, at the same time, a long conversation with him, which tended to confirm my belief in the truth of his statements. He repeated to me Surratt’s confession of complicity in the murder of President Lincoln, and the admission of his mother’s guilty participation in the same plot. He said that Surratt was well supplied with money by parties in Paris and London. He avowed his readiness to proceed at once to Washington and testify to all he knew in the premises, only asking to have his expenses paid and some compensation made for his time and trouble. I requested him to describe Surratt to me, which he did; and it corresponded exactly with the description given by the witness Weichmann at the trial of the conspirators. (See page 116 of volume published by Ben. Pittman, recorder, &c.) I cautioned him not to speak of the matter to any one; but to remain quiet until he heard from me, only keeping me advised, from time to time, of his own and Surratt’s movements and whereabouts. He returned to Velletri last evening. I await, of course, the receipt of the instructions referred to in despatch No. 36 before taking any further steps in the matter.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,

RUFUS KING.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Untitled]

Rome, June 21, 1866.

General: Agreeably with your desire, I have the honor to make the following statement:

1. I am Canadian born, and was living in the United States when the late rebellion broke out. I was engaged as teacher in a small village in Maryland, called Little Texas, or Ellangowan, and there got acquainted with John H. Surratt and William Weichmann. About six months before the end of the war I had removed to Washington, and was there engaged in St. Mathew s Institute, under the superintendency of Father White. Weichmann, who was a friend of Surratt, was there with me. I had occasion to see him several times. He and Weichmann, who was the principal witness in the trial of the assassins of President Lincoln, were intimates. From difficulties with Weichmann I left Washington and joined the northern army, as a substitute for E. D. Porter, of Newark, Delaware, principal of an academy in that city. Not being used to hardships, I straggled in the first marches, and was picked up by Stuart’s cavalry near Orange Court House, Virginia, and imprisoned in Castle Thunder, Richmond. Having been acquainted with the plots of a company of forgers who were then in the same prison, I acquainted General Winder of their intentions, and as a reward of my services got my liberty, and was sent free to Nassau, and from there to my native home—Canada—having gone first to England, on board a vessel loaded with cotton on the account of the confederacy.

2. After my return home the unfortunate assassination of President Lincoln took place. I immediately went to the United States consul at Montreal, and informed him what I knew about Surratt and Weichmann, and told him that in my opinion I thought one was as guilty as the other, and acted only through fear of selling his accomplice. I have met Surratt here in Italy, in the zouaves of the Pope, where I am myself. He has acknowledged to me that he was the instigator of the murder, and had acted in the instructions and orders of persons he did not name, but some of whom are in New York, and others in London. He told me a party in London offered him £10,000 to publish a statement of the affair, but he refused.

I beg to say I am prepared to go to the United States and give all the evidence I know in the unfortunate matter.

I am personally known in the United States to E. D. Porter, of Newark; Delaman, Neil & Derve, proprietors of the St. Louis hotel, Chestnut street, Philadelphia; R. H. Labberton, professor of Greek in the University of the same city. I have known in Richmond General Winder; Captain Winder, his son; Major Carrington and Major Parkhill, and Captain Alexander, who was then commander of Castle Thunder.

I have the honor to be, general, &c.,

HENRI B. St. MARIE.

General King, Rome, Italy.