The Lincoln Affair (Scarlet Threads – Part Forty-Four)
The Lincoln Affair. 1865 AD
From I would look at youencyclical of Pope Gregory XVI in 1832:
Experience has shown from the earliest times that states distinguished by wealth, power, glory, have perished from this one evil, unrestricted freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and love of novelty. To this is related that deadly freedom, which must never be properly execrated and detestable, the freedom of the press.”
plots. In the case of one Abraham Lincoln, for example, a quick trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago will expose you to a newspaper clipping dated April 15, 1864, the day after Lincoln’s assassination, which describes how there was talk of a “plot”. .”
The story either “happens” or is planned. In the case of Lincoln, no serious investigator rules out the conspiracy. There are many variations on the theme, but a conspiracy took place. For what reasons and for whom I will leave you… after having shared some lesser known facts.
Did you realize that the same night Lincoln was shot, Secretary of State Seward was also attacked, while on his sickbed? Others, like General Grant, had also been attacked. These are matters of commonly known but not frequently reported history. There are no secrets here. The complete overthrow of the United States government was on the agenda.
And who was involved in this comprehensive plan to overthrow the government? You will surely recognize the name of John Wilkes Booth. Most know that he was an actor and that he uttered some dramatic words while pulling the trigger. Yes, those words were in Latin. But jump to no conclusion yet.
A much smaller group of Americans have heard Surratt’s name. Few have heard of Mary Surratt, and even fewer know of her son John. Now, Mary’s name can still be found in a couple of encyclopedias, John’s I couldn’t find.
Mary Surratt was a well-known lady of her day. We will say for now that it is only incidental that she was a Roman Catholic. His home was frequented by a wide variety of people, including Catholic priests and others involved in the assassination plot, such as John Wilkes Booth. After Lincoln’s death, the evidence presented against her and other conspirators was so convincing that they were all hanged. Did you know that?
After the fact, it is fair to say that many felt the trials were rushed, that the evidence for Ms. Surratt’s guilty verdict was not strong enough. Judicial errors occur.
So a Roman Catholic was involved in the president’s assassination? If it’s a fact, it’s still not terribly conclusive on its own. In my opinion, what is intriguing about that horrible night is the presence, the flight and, above all, the route of his son, John. In an out of print book by Burke McCarty called The hidden truth about the assassination of Abraham LincolnJohn Surratt is named as the mastermind of the entire event.
Again, in fairness to later discoveries, witnesses at John’s trial “prove” that he was in Elmira, New York, on the night of the murder. Other witnesses saw him outside the theater where Lincoln was shot. But of his flight path, there is no doubt. And the reason for his flight? Although some say he is not guilty, it is held that he fled due to his association with John Wilkes Booth (a very real association, I might add).
All witnesses and evidence can trace John’s flight first to Canada, then to England, both places where he is housed by Catholic clergy. So lo and behold, John shows up in Vatican City, where he is personally received by the Pope! Shortly after we see him dressed in papal dress, part of the Pope’s military operations, a body of light infantry known as the Zouaves.
All of this is a traceable fact.
The United States, after a long and costly, not to mention disputed, delay finally requests that the Vatican release Surratt. External compliance is immediate.
But you wouldn’t know! He “escapes” from those who bring him at one stage of the journey home. He is later captured and put on trial.
Brought to trial, I say, but you must decide if he was brought to justice. The trial records are available for your perusal. Due to one of the many loopholes in the US legal system, the “hung jury” and a subsequent decision to drop the case, Surratt is released and dies many years later in America, a successful businessman.
Let’s back up a bit. After spending some time in Montreal, and supposedly ordered by the bishop not to return to Washington, where his mother is about to be hanged (since there is no justice in Washington), Surratt is sent to England. But the ship’s doctor, LJ McMillan, supposedly looking for the reward being offered for Surratt’s capture, befriends John.
Surratt grows wary, getting off the ship in Londonderry, Ireland, and finding his own way to Liverpool. Meanwhile, McMillan has informed Vice Consul Wilding of his find. Washington Wild Contacts:
Sir: Yesterday, I was given information that Surratt, one of the persons involved in the conspiracy to assassinate Mr. Lincoln, was either in Liverpool, or expected there in a day or two. I took the affidavit from the person who gave me the information…
No response. Let’s try it again.
Sir: Not from my office. 538, the supposed Surratt arrived in Liverpool and is now housed in the oratory of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Surratt is reported to have been a devout Catholic, and I have learned that clergymen of that belief on their way to and from the United States often stay at the Oratory…
If it’s Surratt, such a wretch shouldn’t escape… Wilding.”
Finally the answer. Pay attention. Five months has changed the mood in Washington:
Sir: Your dispatches… have been received. In response to your No. 539, I must inform you that, after consultation with the Secretary of War and the Judge Advocate General, it is considered advisable that no action be taken regarding the arrest of alleged John Surratt at this time. …
W. Hunter
acting secretary
Something fishy here? Later, at the Surratt trial, Judge Pierrepont is forced to say these words:
“Is it possible that it has come to this, that in the City of Washington, where the President has been assassinated, that when under the form of law, and before a court and jury of twelve men, an investigation is made, to determine whether the prisoner is guilty of this great crime, that the government should be accused of seeking his blood, and his officers of licking their tongues at the blood of the innocent. What is the purpose of a government?
“According to the gentleman’s notion, when a murder is committed, the government should do nothing to determine who perpetrated the murder, and whether the government undertook to investigate the matter and endeavor to find out whether the man charged with the crime is guilty or not.” …the government and all associated with it should expect to be attacked as ‘hounds of the law’ and as seeking to ‘lick their tongues at the blood of the innocent.’ What is government for? It is constituted for your protection … What would you do without him?
McCarty summarizes the proceedings of the trial:
“There were eighty-five witnesses and ninety-six in rebuttal…the hearing began on June 17, 1867, and ended on July 26, 1867…the case went to the jury on August 7. The jury reported that he stood up even for conviction and acquittal, with no prospect of reaching an agreement.
“His lawyers asked that he be released on bail, which was refused by the court. The following September… he was charged with participating in rebellion. He was admitted on bail on this charge in the amount of $20,000, which still stables.
“A second indictment was found against him, but the district attorney entered into anolle prosequi on this. The prisoner was eventually released and allowed to go free on a technicality: an omission of the three words in the indictment, namely: ‘he was a fugitive.’ “
That’s why it’s not in the encyclopedias. An incredible story. But the Secretary of War and many others disagree with the dissenting juries, the various judges, the entire legal system.
There are other opinions, but the agreed facts are these: There was a conspiracy. The Surratts were involved in it and were close to John Wilkes Booth. Catholic priests protected and helped escape one of whom they knew to be accused of conspiring to assassinate the President of the United States. The Pope of Rome placed him in a military position after his escape. At the end of his life, John Surratt burned all the records related to this matter.
What do you make of it? Just a coincidence? A total Vatican plot to destroy America? A plot used and approved by Rome? Something to think about.