Mr. BOUTWELL. Mr. Speaker, I have observed in some of the newspapers what purported to be a report of some remarks made by me in a caucus of the Union members of the House on last Saturday evening. The report to which I refer is in many particulars quite incorrect. What I said was said very coolly; and I will repeat it substantially to the House. I gave notice in the caucus that it was my purpose to introduce in this House at an early time a resolution calling for the correspondence between the State Dept and our minister at Rome in reference to John H. Surratt; and I expressed a desire that my friends should support the passage of the resolution, if there should be any opposition to it. I then said– and I spoke just as coolly as I am speaking now that I had good reason to believe that the executive dept had had knowledge for many months of the place where Surratt was: that he was serving in the army of the Pope of Rome; that the dept had for many months known the regiment and company in which and the name under which he was serving; and that they had observed a report of his arrest and escape; and I remarked that I thought, under all the circumstances, it was right that the country should know whether these were the facts or not. Therefore I desired that the resolution which I announced my intention to introduce, and which I did introduce yesterday, should be supported by the Union members of the House. Now, sir, I will say that I have good reason the very best of reasons, I believe for thinking that as early as May last the executive dept of this Government had knowledge where Surratt was. I did not say on last Saturday night, nor I do say now, nor have I said anywhere, that the Government has been at fault in not procuring his arrest; but when I left this city in July last I did expect that very soon the country would have knowledge that the arrest had been made. When week after week had passed away, and month after month elapsed, and there was no public information that the arrest of Surratt had been made, I did say in public speeches that I had good reason to believe that the Government had knowledge of his whereabouts. I have this to say further: when the corre spondence which has been called for shall appear, the House and the country will see whether the executive dept had that knowledge or not. The House and the country will also see whether the Government has taken such measures as were in its power to secure Surratt's early arrest. Upon that point I have no knowledge whatever. Now, sir, if it shall appear that I have been mistaken as to the fact that the Government had such knowl edge as I have stated, there is no person in this House or in the country who would be more willing to make the proper retraction than I will be. I will say further, although it is a little aside from the matter with reference to Surratt, that while I am opposed to the POTUS and his policy, I shall make no warfare upon him that I do not consider fair and legitimate. I shall not attempt, here, or elsewhere, to misrepresent or abuse him; but what I do mean to undertake, and to perform to the extent of my ability, is to ascertain whether he has been true in the great office that he holds. I intend, as one member of thisHouse, to bring to that inquiry a judicial mind. If it shall appear that he has been true there is no citizen of this country who will recognizethe fact more readily than myself. If on the other hand, it shall prove otherwise, then, as a citizen and as a Representative, I shallperform my duty to the country. NATIONALASYLUM FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS.