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[L Verge]

Linda asked why the Catholic Church assisted John Surratt. I believe because granting refuge to those who ask for it has been a principle of the Church over many centuries - especially when the death sentence is likely to be involved.

Chiniquy, McLoughlin, Harris, and others are not considered very reliable because they wrote mainly as a "grudge" against the Church. Also, it was popular at the time to discredit the Catholics. As far as the conspirators are concerned, John and Mary Surratt and Dr. Mudd were the only ones with known ties to the Catholic Church. Some have suggested that JWB converted, but so far as I know, there are no church records to prove that. It would be interesting to see what you find in your research to either support or discredit the Catholic angle. Keep us posted.