Mr. Harvey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: My No. 414 has already informed you of the measures adopted here, upon the receipt of a telegram from our minister at Rome, requesting a ship of war to be sent immediately to Civita Vecchia. The United States steamer Swatara was intercepted in the Mediterranean and ordered there, as soon as Rear-Admiral Goldsborough came into this port.
Subsequently, information was received of the arrest of the conspirator John H. Surratt, at Alexandria, whence he had escaped from the papal territory, accompanied by a request that a ship of war should be sent to Malta to receive him. Orders were communicated by telegraph, on Monday, for the Swatara to go there, but, as there might possibly be some interruption or accident, the United States steamer Frolic was despatched there from this port yesterday morning, for the same purpose. Whichever vessel may receive him will proceed directly to Washington with the prisoner.
In order that the government might be fully apprised of these proceedings, I sent the following telegram yesterday:
Hon. Charles Francis Adams, Minister of the United States, London:
Please inform the Secretary of State, by Atlantic cable, that United States steamer Swatara was ordered, by telegraph from Civita Vecchia, on Monday, to Malta to receive Surratt, and that Frolic left here to-day, on the same errand, to prevent mishaps. He will be sent to Washington immediately.
JAMES E. HARVEY.
It is believed that these precautions will be effective, and that the wretched criminal, who was concerned in the foulest conspiracy ever known in our history as a nation, will be soon delivered over to the tribunals of justice.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.