The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-25

or two OF the number, (WhO no doubt had ircquent-
y accepted Of similar accommodations manifested
disposition to accept the pIanks. Finally, low
ever, more refined counsels prevailed and the COM
mittee determined to seek for quarters elsewhere.
just at this iuncturc Mr.. VIM. GunniSOn presented
himself, but they evidently derived no comfort from
his presence, and after moments conversation,
the committee separated from him and started on
SEARCH FOR BEDS.
One street after another was traversed
and wherever there was sign up OIL
Entertainment for Man and Beast" the
committee entered and enquired for acccommoda
tion. The same answer was received at each place
-"full." Nearly an hour was spent in perambu
lating the town. at the end of which they were moi
so near resting place as when they started. A
short consultation, in which the comforts and ex
igencies OF lie were canvassed, and the committee
determined to return to the Jones House, ant
accept the tender of the planks. This was done
and soon the party were discussing their accom-
modations The Hon. Judge could not sleep on
fioor. All the members of the committee appreci
ated the immense decline there would be in dignity
if the Judge slept on floor. 1t would never
do, and accordingly three chairs arranged
side by side, and the Judge, with great dignity
stretched himself along them, and for four hours
"slept like a top" Some of the others sat il
chairs, and thus they retired to rest.
THINGS AS THEY APPEARED.
Your reporter, in company with ''chum,'' coulc
not think of crowding the committee in their quar-
ters, and with that modesty which is so eminently
characteristic Of the reportoria profession turned
out into the cherries streets. 1t was near one
o'clock but the streets were far from being desert
ed. The enthusiasm of the day assumed the aspect
OF debauchery at night. Drunken men were shout
ing, singing, yelling, and hurrahiug; tenderlv en-
braclng lamp posts and lying on cellar doors. The
scene presented in the bar rooms and sitting rooms
of the various taverns battles description. All the
chairs, Stools benches settees, and sofas,
cupied by men, courtng sleep.
Some few, who had been of a spiritual turn of
mind during the day, found little difficulty in sluu-
berng; but others, of a more Emphatic and ner-
vous temperament, were bobbing their heads at one
instant, and were bursting out into very explosive
adjectives the next. Of group of five eHcOun-
tered in one of the restaurants, of the number
was stretched on the floor, with his head resting
on spittoon, whilst the other four using his
body for a pillow.
MORE BALTIMoREAYs.
On entering the Susquehanna House, everything
which could be applied to sitting purposes was
found occupied. On one of the sofas were three
persons, hobbing away uneasily. One of them,
whom we recognized as Mr.. VIM. E. CoaIe rose
soon after we entered, and on finding that we were
from Baltimore, made diligent inquiries in regard
to the committee. The other two Quilted the sofa
also, but when Mr.. Coale saw that wearv-looking
gentleman, who was pacing the floor, eyed the
wisttuliy, he bade one of his two friends return
Immediately and hold possession of it. In the
course of his subsequent rambes in search of a
lodging, your reporter was fortunate enough to
meet with an acquaintance resident of harris
burg, who invited him and his companion, also
BaltimOrean, to his house where they obtained an
excellent nights rest.
THE MORNING.
At an early hour in the morning the town was
all astir. Brass bands, drums, flies, and buges
were to be heard in all sections of the place. The
visiting military were departing for their homes,
and from six to eight o'clock the streets were
thronged with uniforms The display of military
the day previous was very imposing. Besides the
local companies were many others from Philadel-
phia and intermediate places. There were also
companies from points far west as Holiday sburg.
They all left for home on Saturday morning.
THE BALTIMORE COMMITTEE AGAIN.
At an early hour the committee arose, greatly
refreshed by their nights rest. Each member
made his toilet and proceeded to the clerks Office to
await the order summoning them to the presenta-
ton. An hour was spent, when the committee were
invited to the reception-roon, where they immedi-
ately proceeded. Here another DELAY took place.
Ever and anon the members of the committee pull
ed out their watches and closely noticed the hour.
Eight O'Clock came and went, and the committee
were still waiting. The question of the chairman
ship OF the committee was still in doubt and your
reporter was anxious to have the point de-
termined. In response to a question asked one of
the committee, that gentleman remarked that Judge
Marshall was the chairman. but owing to the fact
that the Judge was applicant for the office of
Collector of the port of Baltimore, his modesty
would prevent him from acting chief of the del
egation. This settled the matter, and Hon. A.
Snethen became chairman by courtesY, vice Mar
shall, too modest.
THE PRESENTATION THAT DID NOT COME cFF
About fifteen minutes past eight o'clock, a mo-
hon was made by some gentleman in authority for
the Baltimore Committee to approach the doorway
leading to the august presence. Bare headed, with
great reverence, and with almost oriental Cbsequi-
business, the com ttan did approach They nassed
from the reception room to the hall, where they
again waited for few minutes, when the door of
the Presidential apartment opened and COL Ellis
worth, of Chicago IoUave notoriety, thrust his
head out and in sharp, positive, military tone
said "Mr. Lincoln is not in Harrisburg. lie left
this place last night, and is safe in Washington
The chairman of the committee looked over and
under his spectacles. The other members looked
at each other, and then one of them said: 81 don't
believe word OF it." There were no means by
which the truth of Col. Ellsworths statement could
be tested. The Judge and the Honorable were of
opinion that it was a ruse, ndulged in for the pur-
pose of deceiving the eager crowd which thronged
every avenue leading to the apartment. The
mttee held their position and discussed the probG
bility of the truth of the Presidents departure-
They all looked very sheepish and chapfaen,
but bravely endeavored, nevertheless, to keep up
an appearance of dignity. 1t was sad failure,
however. Thus they remained irresolute until
within few minutes of nine o'clock, the hour for
The departure of the extra train for Baltimore.
The SCENE AT THE CARs-THE ARRANGEMENTS OF THE
COMPANY.
The officers of the Northern Central Railway
Company had made the most careful and ample
preparation for the transit of the Presidential party.
Col. j. S. Cuttings and James C. Clarke, Esq, were
both in Harrisburg, and were to accompany the
party. Every precautiGn which human foresight
could suggest had been taken to safety over
the road. The day previous Mr.. Clarke had taken
a number of the master mechanics from the Bati-
more machine shops to Harrisburg. On Friday
night these men went to work and took the cele-
brated locomotive John II. Done apart, examined
and tested every part of the machinery, and, far
as mechanical skill could suggest, provided against
the possibility of accident. Duplicate pieces for
each and every part of the machinery were
placed board the train, with screws and
all the necessary appliances for repairing the
breakage of any part of the engine.
The cars were prepared expressly for the occa,
sion. The same caution exercised in regard to the
locomotive and cars, also used along the
route. At intervals of half mile along the entire
road, fiag-men were stationed, who had watched
the road the entire morning. At every bridge there
was watchman carefully guarding it. at no
point along the route there the least neglect;
but everything and any contingency which an ex-
tensive experience of.raiload affairs could suggest
were carefully provided for. Mr.. Clarke had with
him his only son, boy five years of age, which
was good evidence that he did not fear danger
from accident. Captain George A. Rawlings,
gentleman widely known for his urbauty and skill
as Conductor, had charge of the train, and the
Engineer was Mr. Gardiner Cobb one of the most
reliable and capable in the country.
About fifteen minutes of nine o'clock, the Ex-
press train took position the sideiing. There
bat few persons present, the crowd still lin
gered in and around the Jones House. The Balt-
more committee, who were not yet assured that
they would be allowed seats in the train, came to
the cars looking troubled and dubious. Some of
them now expressed the belief that the President
had really gone beore whilst others cluug to the be-
lief that was ruse The doubt could not last much
longer, and while they were engaged in discussing
the NATTER cheers in the streets announced that the
Presidential party was on its way to the depot
In short time the carriages made their appearance
and it was evident that the President was not with
the party. There Mrs. Lincoln, the two little
Lncolns, and "Bob" and his brother, but the Presi
dent elect was nowhere to be seen. The committee
looked crest fallen, and Immediately became
licitous about their passage home. With but little
trouble they gained admission to the cars, and in
few minutes the train was on its way.
THE CAUSE OF Mr.. LIHcoLN's cLANDssT1NE DEPARTURE.
Various causes were assigned for Mr.. Lincoln's
departure. The most reliable report was the fol-
lowing: On the day previous Mr.. Lincoln received
several dispatches, warning him of danger if be
passed over the Northern Central road. But little
attention was pald to these. In the evening, how
ever, he received despatch from General Scott
informing him that he (Gen. Scott) had been in
formed that the President would be killed. either
by accident on the railroad or by assassination in
Baltimore; for that a Thoroughly organized party
had planned his destruction aud the assassination
was sanctioned by leading men in Baltimore. The
details were said to be these: Tristan attempt
would be made to throw the train from the track
at some point just before the Maryland line was
reached. If this attempt proved unsuccessful, the
train would be thrown from the Track at mint
between the Relay House and the city of Baltimore.
All the prepArations for this desnarate scheme il