George P. Marsh to Visconti Venosta, November 17, 1866

Mr. Marsh to Visconti Venosta.

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to enclose herewith a photographic portrait of John H. Surratt, alias Watson, supposed to be now in a hospital at Sora. The portrait was received by the United States legation at Rome from the government of the United States, and is, therefore, no doubt authentic. It may help to identify the individual at Sora with the accused; but, as it is not apparently of the most recent date, it is not improbable that time and the circumstances of Surratt’s life for the last eighteen months may have produced some change in his features and expression, which will render the likeness between the original and the portrait less striking. The point of identity, however, as I had the honor of stating to Mr. Cerutti this morning, can, it is believed, be satisfactorily established by the testimony of persons at Rome who have known Surratt familiarly on both sides of the Atlantic.

Accept, Mr. Minister, the renewed assurance of my high consideration.