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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Hale.

No. 25.]

Department of State, Washington, December 4, 1866.

Sir: The Secretary of the Navy has instructed Admiral Goldsborough to send a proper national armed vessel to Alexandria to receive from you John H. Surratt, a citizen of the United States, who is in your custody as an arrested fugitive, charged with the crime of assassination of the late Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and of an attempt to assassinate William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, in the month of April, 1865. You will deliver the before-named to the commanding officer of the vessel upon his reporting to you his arrival at Alexandria.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Charles Hale, Esq., &c., &c., &c.