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quired my message to go thither by steamer, and delayed the prompt transmission thence of yours. The break was repaired yesterday.

Surratt remains in safe custody, and subject to no jurisdiction other than that of the United States.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES HALE.

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State.

Mr. Seward to Mr. King.

No. 52.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
December 15, 1866.

SIR: Your despatch of the 26th of November, No. 68, which relates to the case of John H. Surratt, has been received. I commend and thank you for the useful and very interesting details concerning the ways of that offender which you have given me. Among the papers which accompany the despatch is a memorandum which is inscribed "A copy," and the text of which is as follows:

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About twelve months ago Mr. Surratt came to Rome, under the name of Watson. In Canada he procured letters from some priest to friends in EnglandHaving left England for Rome, he got letters for some people here, amongst others for Rev. Dr. Neane, rector of the English college. Being detained for some days at Civita Vecchia, and having no money to pay his expenses there, he wrote to Dr. Neane, from whom he received fifty (50) francs.

66

time.

On his arrival here he went to the English college, where he lived for some After that he entered the Papal service."

The paper bears no signature. The only information you give me from which to determine its authenticity is that you have received it from good authority. I do not know that the statement thus recited would in any case have any value. Certainly, unauthenticated, it can be of no use, other than to awaken curiosity. I think you ought to have given the authority to which you allude. I am aware that the person who imparted the information to you may probably have given it to you as confidential, and that he might even have declined to give it to you at all if you had not agreed to receive it under an injunction of secrecy. Such an injunction neither you nor I have in any case a right to accept. We are agents of the President, in whom the whole executive Fower of the United States is vested. Clearly the information contained in the paper was designed for him, and not for yourself or for me personally. No one can rightfully claim to impose upon us an injunction to conceal from the President facts which concern the public safety and welfare. I have acted upon the principle which I thus inculcate throughout all the excitements of a civil war. Better to reject all information whatever than to receive it with limitations inconsistent with official duty. What I have written is not to be taken, however, as conveying censure for the past, but rather as an instruction for the future. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

To Mr. KING.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

No. 72.]

Mr. King to Mr. Seward.

[Extract.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Rome, December 17, 1866.

SIR: I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of despatches Nos. 44, 45, 46, and 47, from the State Department, in reply to mine, Nos. 65 and 66, of November 2 and 10, relative to the affair of Jolin II. Surratt. I am gratified to learn that the steps which I felt called upon to take in the matter have met the approval of the department. It will give me great pleasure to convey to Cardinal Antonelli the assurance of the President's sincere satisfaction with the prompt and friendly action of the Papal government.

As anticipated in my last, the United States corvette Swatara, Captain Jeffers, arrived at Civita Vecchia on Wednesday last, 12th instant, and was followed next day by the Frolic, Captain Upshur. The latter brought despatches from the admiral, directing the Swatara to proceed forthwith to Malta. She sailed accordingly at noon next day. At Malta, no doubt Captain Jeffers will receive further instructions from Admiral Goldsborough, who must be in that neighborhood. The Frolic remains at Civita Vecchia awaiting orders.

*

St. Marie, who first informed me of Surratt being in the corps of zouaves, has been discharged from the Papal service at my request. I have paid him the sum specified in the despatch from the State Department of October 16. Threats had been made against him by some of his old comrades, and thinking that his life was not altogether safe, aud that he might be wanted in Alexandria as a witness to identify Surratt, I put him in charge of Captain Jeffers, and he sailed in the Swatara on Friday last. His great desire seems to be to return to America and aid in bringing Surratt to justice. I have seen, as yet, no reason to doubt his good faith or question the truth of his statements.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

RUFUS KING.

Secretary of State.

Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.

Time-8 p. m.

To Seward:

[Telegram.]

OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
Telegram received at War Department,
Washington, D. C.. December 29, 1866.
24, 1865.

From cable

I delivered Surratt board corvette Swatara twenty-first (21st) December. No

trouble.

HALE, Alexandria.

SURVEY OF ROCK AND ILLINOIS RIVERS.

LETTER

FROM

THE SECRETARY OF WAR,

IN ANSWER TO

A resolution of the House of January 3, transmitting a report on the subject of the surveys of the Rock and Illinois rivers.

JANUARY 8, 1867.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, January 7, 1867.

SIR: In reply to a resolution of the House of Representatives of January 3, 1867, respecting the surveys of the Rock and Illinois rivers, ordered at the last session of Congress, I have the honor to transmit herewith the Chief of Engineer's report of January 7, 1867, on the subject.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

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SIR: I respectfully return herewith the resolution of the United States House of Representatives of the 3d instant, calling for information as to the progress of the surveys of the Rock and Illinois rivers, &c., and the names of the officers to whom said surveys have been intrusted, and beg leave to state that the surveys in question were intrusted to the charge of Brevet Major General J. H. Wilson, United States army, late captain of engineers, now lieutenant colonel of thirty-fifth United States infantry, who reports that the field-notes of the surveys under his charge have been completed, and that his preliminary reports and recommendations will be submitted by the 15th of January, but it will require two or three months longer to work up the maps and plans in detail. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Engineers.

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