[Extract.]
Mr. King to Mr.
Seward.
No. 54 ]
Legation of the United States,
Rome,
May 11, 1866.
Sir: In my last despatch, of April 23, I
mentioned that H. B. St. Marie, a private in the Papal zouaves, bad
called upon me for the purpose of communicating the intelligence that
John H. Surratt, one of the persons charged with complicity in the
murder of President Lincoln, was a member of the same regiment as
himself, and then stationed at Sezze. I have since received two
[Page 130]
letters from St. Marie
relating to this matter, which I enclose for the information of the
department. While awaiting their instructions, the information has been
kept secret here.
* * * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. St. Marie to Mr. King.
Velletri,
April 23, 1866.
Honorable Sir: With reference to the
information I had the honor to give you Saturday last, I most
respectfully state and suggest that it would be advisable to proceed
at once and ascertain if such information is correct, as I
understand that my company may be soon under orders to go further in
the mountains, and it would be more difficult for me to communicate
with you. As to the identity of the party, I can assure you on my
most sacred honor it is lost time to acquire further proofs. I am
fully convinced that it is the same individual. I have known him in
Baltimore. I have seen him here; have spoken to him; recognized him
at once; and, when he made himself known to me and acknowledged he
was the same party I thought he resembled to, he related several
particulars of our first meeting at Ellangowan, fifteen miles from
Baltimore, where I was then engaged as a teacher, which no one but
himself could have remembered. This was about a year before the
assassination of President Lincoln; all this occurred about a
fortnight ago. I then resolved that as soon as I could get leave to
go to Rome, I would seek the American minister and inform him of the
fact, which no one here, and I am certain in Europe, knows but
myself. I am fully aware of the danger of my position, for in my
opinion that party must have friends here, and the utmost caution
must be used both in securing him, and for my personal safety. I
have told you it is my desire to leave the army as soon as possible,
and that I can do by paying a sum of five or six hundred francs. I
think I have done my duty in conscience, and trust in you not to be
forgotten. I shall expect an answer at your earliest convenience; in
writing to me use ordinary paper and envelope, and take a form and
turn of expression as none but myself will be able to
understand.
I have the honor to be. honorable sir, very respectfully, your most
obedient servant,
HENRI B. ST. MARIE, Zouave Pontifical, 9th
Company, Velletri.
Hon. General King,
Minister of the United States, Palazzo
Talviati, via Del Corse, Rome.
Mr. St. Marie to Mr. King.
General: I am in receipt of your honored
favor of the 4th instant, and, in reply, beg to state that the party
in question is still at the place mentioned in my last letter to
you. If anything happens I shall immediately advise you. Also, if I
change quarters I shall let you know where you can address me.
Hoping everything will turn out to your satisfaction, and for the
greatest advantage of the United States, I hope justice to the
ever-lamented memory of President L. will be made.
I have been greatly disappointed with this zouave corps. I long to
revisit my native land and the gray hair of my father and mother,
and wish to make of the United States my last and permanent
home.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, general, &c.,
HENRI B. ST. MARIE, Zouave
Pontifical, 9th
Company.
