[Enclosure I.], November 16, 1866

[Enclosure I.]

Mr. Minister: I am credibly informed, and confidently believe, that John H. Surratt, a leading actor in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, late President of the United States, who escaped from justice after that event, and has been recently serving as a zouave in the Papal army at Rome, is now in a hospital at Sora, (supposed Sora Terra di Lavoro,) where he is said to have been admitted in consequence of a wound, received in some manner of which I am not informed.

It has been known for a considerable time to the legation of the United States at Rome that Surratt had enlisted in the Papal military service, and this fact having been communicated by the legation to the pontifical government, an order for his arrest and committal to the military prison at Rome was issued by the minister of war on the sixth of the present month.

In pursuance of this order, Surratt, who had enrolled himself by the name of John Watson, was arrested at Veroli on the following day, and conducted to Velletri. On the eighth of the month he escaped from his keepers, and has not been since heard of until his admission to the hospital at Sora.

The circumstances of the assassination in question are so well known that I need not enter into any details on that subject; and this legation, as well as the government and people of the United States, have received such abundant proof of the intense horror with which this great crime was regarded by the Italian government and nation, that I cannot doubt the entire readiness of the public authorities of this kingdom to use all proper measures to bring to justice any of the participators in the offence who may be found within their jurisdiction.

I am, as may naturally be supposed, without conclusive evidence to prove at this moment the complicity of Surratt in the crime, or to show the identity of that individual and the person now in the hospital at Sora. The latter point, however, I am informed can be established at once and beyond dispute; and the printed record of the proceedings against the assassins, a copy of which accompanies this note, will, I doubt not, be considered sufficient prima facie evidence of the guilt of the accused to warrant his detention until further proof, if any be necessary, can be produced to justify his extradition to the authorities of the United States for trial.

I need not enlarge upon the heinous criminality and the dangerous character of the offence with which Surratt is charged. The punishment of the assassins interests all civilized commonwealths, and the cause of justice is, in this instance, the cause of organized government, of public ordér, and of national security throughout the world.

I pray, therefore, Mr. Minister, that the local authorities at Sora may be instructed to hold the accused in safe custody until further proceedings can be had to insure his surrender to such officers of the United States as shall be authorized to receive him.

I avail myself of this occasion to tender to you, Mr. Minister, the renewed assurances of my high consideration.