Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-04-19


count of the conspiracy to assassinate Presi-
dent LINCOLN while on his way through
Baltimore to Washington. The account
was prepared, the Journal says, by Il gentle
man perfectly informed of the details of the
conspiracy. and is entirely reliable. The
scheme of the conspirators was penetrated by
an experienced detective officer, who was en-
ployed by some friends of Mr.. LINCOLN who
had reason to fear its existence. The detect
i've was engaged at Baltimore three weeks
prior to Mr.. Lincoln's arrival employing
both men and women to assist him.
| ''Shortly after coming to Baltimors the detec-
tive discovered a combination of men banded to-
| gether under a solemn oath to assassinate the
| President elect. The leader of the conspirators
was an Italian refugee, a barber, we'll known in
| Baltimore, who assumed the name Of Orsni, as
| indicative Of the part he to Perform The
assistants emdloyed by the detective, who, like
himself, were strangers in Baltimore city, by as
suming they were Secessionists from Louisiana
| and other seeding States, gained the confidence
| OF some of the conspiratorsj and were entrusted
! with their plans. 1t was arranged in case Mr..
LINCOLN should pass safely over the rail road to
| Baltimore that the cOnsprators should mingle
| with the crowd which might surround his car
rlage, and by pretending to be his friends, be
abled to approach his person, when, upon q signal
| from their leader, some of them would shoot at
Mr.. LINCOLN with their pistols, and others would
throw into his carriage hand grenades filled with
detonaling powder, similar to those used in the
attempted assassination of the Emperor, LOUIS
NAPOLEON. 1t was intended that in the confusion
which should result from this attack, the assail-
ants should escape to a vessel which was waiting
In she harbOr to receive them, and be carried to
Mobile, in the seeding State Of Alabama.
Upon Mr.. LiScoLN's arrival in Philadelphia
on Thursday, the 2lst day Of February, the de-
tective visited Philadelphia and submitted 10 GER
tain friends Of the President elect the information
he had collected to the conspiracy and their
plans. An interview was Immediately arranged
between Mr.. LINCOLN and the detective. The in
terview took place in Mr.. LINcoLs's room, in the
Continental Hotel, where he was staying during
his visit to Philadelphia.
Mr.. LINCOLN, having heard the officers state
ment, informed him that he had promised to raise
the American flag on Independence Hall on the
next mOrning-the morning Of the Anniversary
of Washington birthday, and that he had ac-
ceptod the invitation of she Pennsylvania Legis-
lature to be publicly received by that body in
the afternoon of the same day. "Both Cf these
engagements" said he with emphasis, II will
keep, If it costs me my life. If, however, after
shall have concluded these engagements, you can
take me in safety to Washington, l will place
myself at your disposal, and authorise you to
make such arrangement as you may deem proper
for that purpose
4 special messenger, Mr.. FREDERICK W.
SEWARD, q son Of Senator Seward was des-
patched from Washington to the President
elect (as was stated in the accounts at the !
time) to urge Mr.. LINCOLN to come direct
to Washington in q quiet manner Mr.. |
LINCOLN left Harrsburgh quietly about 9
P. NJ. in a special train for Philadelphia in
company with Col.LANoN,
simultaneously with his departure from Hsr- |
risburg, the telegraph wires were cut, that his
departure, if it should become known, might not |
be communicated at q distance.
The special train arrived in Philadelphia at
quarter before eleven o'clock at night. Here he |
was met by the detective, who had carriage in |
driven to the depot Of the Philadelphia Whining
ton and Baltimore Railroad.
They did not reach the depot until a quarter |
past eleven but fortunately for them, the regu-
lar train, the hour Of which, for starting,
eleven, had been delayed. The party then took |
berths in the sleeping car, and without change Of
cars passed directly through to Washin gton,
wheIe they arrived at the usual hour, half-past |
six, the morning of Saturday the 23d. Mr
Lincoln wore disguise whatever. but jouTneyed
ia ordinary travelling dress"
The character and pursuits Of the oonspirators
we're various Some of them were impelled by a
fanatical zeal which they termed patriotism, and |
they justified their acts by example of Brutus, in
ridding his country of tyrsnt. One OF them was
accustomed to recite passages put into the mouth |
Of the character Of Brutus in Shakspeare's play |
of Julius Caesar. Others were stimulated by the
offer Of pecGnisry reward. These, it was obServ-
ed, .taid away from their usual places of work
for several weeks prior to the intended assault
Although their circumstances had previC usly rem
dered them dependent on their daily labor for
support, they during this time a5undantly
supplied with money, which they squandered in
bar-rooms and disreputable places.
After the discovery Of the plot, strict watch
watch kept by the agents of the detective over
the movements Of the conspirators, and efficient |
measures were adopted to guard against any at
tack which they mi ght mediate upon the Presi- |
dentelect until he was installed in office.
The detective travelled with MI Lincoln under |
tho name of E. J. Allen. which name regis |
tered with the President elects on the book at |
Willard's Hotel. Being well known individual, |
he was speedily recognized, and suspicion natu- |
rally arose that he had been instrumental in ex-
posing the plot which caused Mr.. Lincons hur-
ried journep. 1t was deemed prudent that he
should leave Washington two days after his arriv-
al, although he had intended to remain and wit
ness the ceremonies of Inauguration.
The friends of Mr.. Lincoln do not question the
loyalty and hospitality of the people of Maryland,
but they were aware that few disafected citizens
who sympathzed warmly with the Secessionists
were determined to Illustrate, at all hazards, the
Inauguration of the President elect, even at the
cost Of his life.
The number originally ascertained to be banded
together for the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln, was
twenty; but the number Of those who were fully
apprised of the details of the plot became daily
smaller as the time for executing it drew near.
Some Of the women employed by the detective
went to serve walters, sesmstresses, &c, in the
families Of the conspiratoTs, and a record
regularly kept of what was said and done to fur
ther their enterprise. record was also kept by
the detective of their deiberation in secret
clsve but for sufficient reasons, it is Withheld for
the present from publication. The detective and
his agents regularly contributed money to pay the
expenses of the conspiracy.
LIFTING THE VEIL.-The editor of the
Nashville Christian Advocate has been on a