How I see John Surratt.

[Steve]

According to his Rockville lecture:

http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln55.html

Surratt said he wrote a telegram to Booth in New York on the 15th:

I telegraphed Booth thus:
"J.W.B., in New York:
"If you are in New York telegraph me.
"John Harrison, Elmira, N.Y."

Is there any independent evidence for Surratt sending this telegram, apart from his speech?

Also, if Surratt was in Elmira as he said and he did send the telegram, and if he didn't know about the assassination beforehand what would make him think that Booth was in New York and would be at the address he sent the telegram to if there was a manhunt after him?

This reminds me of the "Etta letter" which also implied Booth would be in New York:

http://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussio...ge-12.html

If Surratt really did send the telegram could it have been part of a preplanned part of the assassination plan. If Surratt was out of Washington whenever an opportunity for the assassination presented itself, he would send a telegram in a sort of distraction, that along with other false leads like the "Etta letter", would hopefully make authorities look for Booth in New York while he headed in the opposite direction?