Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-02-26
MIR. LINCOLN at wa.hInelon

Dir, LincOns sudden appearance ut Washing
ton has created intense public excitement. We
give the following facts in relation to the matter,
and also Of hia presence and its effects upon the
people, as we find them in II letter of Iadepeadent
to the Philadelphia American of yesterday;
The great public who were not in tue secret,
were much nstonished by the arrival of Mr.. Lin
coin yesterday morning, As this sudden change
Of his arrangements is likely to be misrspresent-
ed II is proper that the material facts should be
known. Information was communicated to the
War Department and to Gen Scott on Thursday.
to the effect that the presence of the President
elect in baltimore might be made the preiexl for
. riot, the consequences Of which could not he
loreseen even with all the precautionary ar
rangements which had been made by the police.
And there is reason 10 fear that certain desper-
ate characters were ready to avail themselves Of
that or some other opportunity, to execute
hendsh plot against his life. Taken 10 connec-
ton with the recent attempt in Indiana, where
nothing hut proyidental iaterpositon saved
tine train bearing MIR. Lincoln's party from wreck
and with other ;acts which came to the knowledge
of the proper authorities, It was very natural
that anxiety and apprehension should be felt
and precautions taken. lnhammatory appeals
had been made in Baltimore which only needed
the spark of any accident or word to burst into
q dangerous contiAgratiOn.
special messenger was sent TO Harrisburg
on Thursday, at the instance of those charged
with the preservation of order here, and not by
his political friends, as has been stated. Another
messenger, bearing almost similar intelligence
obtained through the police at New York, also
i reached there nearly at the same time. Undei
these peculiar circumstances, Mr.. Lincoln yield
ed to the advice from Washington, and changed
7 the programme. He did not feel at liberty ia
any way to risk the public pence for his own
D convenience, though unable to realize any cause
2 for fearing personal danger Mr.. Lincoln adopted
4 the suggestions OF General Scott aud others, who
had access 10 knowledge which be could mo-
possibly possess.
: He was met at the depot by Mr.. Seward ant
i Mr.. Washburne, who, with three others, werl
= tho only persons informed of the intended change
y aud conducted to Wizards Hotel. In the coursl
Of the morning he called at the White House
! with Mr.. Seward, and was very cordially vel
= coined by Mr.. Buchanan and by his Cabinet WhI
happened TO be in session ct the time. He dinet
with Mr.. Seward in the afternoon privately Mr.
u llamlin being the only other person present.
, During the day large number Of visitors called
j. but only few were admitted, and they gener
: ally of an official character.
: President Tyler, of the Peace Convention, al
e dressed Mr. Lincoln formal note through th,
! Secretary, DR.. PulestOn, asking II it would b,
. agreeable to him TO receive the body over which
II he presided. Mr., Lincoln promptly signi6ed BIZ
/ willingness and fixed nine o'clock. Subsequent
y ly a committee consisting OF Gen. Wicklifie, Mr.
u Chase and Mr.. Field, waited upon him to lear
y whether he would prefer to attend in the hall 0
y the convention or to receive them in his owl
y quarters lie properly indicated the latter, an,
! they were formally presented ut nine o'clock
y having adjourned for that purpose. Afterwards
u n large number of sojourners in the hotel ant
:. citizens were admitted.
u Mrs. Lincoln and the rest Of the Presidential
II party, who had remained over ut Harrisburg
II arrived by the afternoon train, and were met b
T. q large cOncourse Mt the depot, who could no
. believe the President had been in the city 70
IS twelve hours before. II Ind been determine
. moi to receive company, but after being yisite
y by few personal friends her drawing-roOm wa
u thrown open, and the interest OF the occasi0
e was thus unexpected and pleasuraby enhanced
10 The President and Mrs Lincoln made yer
-, agreeable impression on their visitors, from III
!" genial, unaffected and friendly manner in whiC
= =. they were all welcomed The reception ben
a. entirely informal and mpromptu, was rendere
= all the mole agreeable on that account. No
III that the ice is broken, and the first contact vii
. metropolitan society has passed satisfactOr
NJ the rest will follow smoothly and naturally.