Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-02
SUPPOSED PLOT TO BURN PHILA.
DELPHIA.

Action of the Military and Civil Au.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Measures Con-
from the Philadelphia Inquirer, May 2d.l
Last Sunday afternoon the Pro vost Marshal
General Cadwaiader, in this city, that the au-
thorities at the National Capitol had received
information that plot existed to burn the city
of Philadelphia, and that an attempt to carry
it into effect would be made during Sunday
night. General Cadwalader was advised in
the Provost Marshals despatch, TO adopt such
precautionary measures as were necessary to
check effectually any such diabolical attempt,
and prompt decisive action was taken at once,
OF so thorough q nature that even if such an
attempt were contemplated by parties in the
city. its fulhllment would have been simply
an impossibility.
During Sunday evening we were called on
by Chief Ruggles and Chief Engineer Lyle,
who brought request from Mayor Henry not
to publish anything in relation TO the sup
posed plot, as such publicity might tend to de-
feat the ends Of justice, and create unnecessary
alarm among the timid or nervous portion Of
the community. Entirely coinciding in opinion
with the Mayor we refrained from making any
mention of the affair In yesterdays edition; but
as information in relation to the supposed plot
was published in the New York papers, yestsr-
day, and freely circulated in this city, the veil
is of course removed, and we append the fol-
lowing particulars regarding the grand scare.
We may premise by saying that NO uneasiness
is experienced by those who are high in au.
thority in this city regarding the plot and that
no attempt to burn any portion Of the city was
made.
The authorities, however, are going on the
principle that ian ounce Of prevention is worth
pound OF cure" for such measures have boen
adopted throughout the city as would lead to
the instantaneous detection of any act of in
cendiarism.
Gen. Cadwalader, Immediately on the re-
ceipt Of the despatch from Washington, made
proper disposition of the military under his
command at once: All the public buildings,
including arsenals hospitals. large manufae.
tories, machine shops, magazines, &s., were
placed under strict guard, and remain so now.
Bodies Of military were stationed in such a
manner as to be OF instant use at any point,
and several localities were doubly guarded.
Chief Ruggles had his entire police force on
the qua o,re, and every suspiciouslooking char
acter was closely watched, and q sharp eye
kept on many places OF public resort.
Chief Engineer Lyle notified the entire fire
department to be ready for instant service, and
the various fire apparatus throughout the city
were haTDessed up ready for work.
All the hotels of the city were warned to use
extra caution, and the different floors of the
principal ones were patrolled 50 closely duriag
the entire night that not guest could leave his
room without his movements being made the
subject Of strict scr utiny.
The night, however, passed without any at
tempt at tncendiarism, and but two occur.
FENCES took place having any connection with
the affair. and they are as follows:
One OF the officers on duty at 9th and Chest.
nut streets had his attention attracted, abou.
balt.past o'clock on Sunday evening, to the
movements OF an Individual who appeared to
be watching the upper windows OF the Cont.
mental Hotel with some interest. The party
in question moved backwards and forwards
on 9th street, and after glancing up at several
OF the windows OF the hotel, moved Off up
9Th street at a brisk pace He was followed
and seen to turn into Market street, and was
taken into custody at the corner Of 10th and
Market.
He appeared somewhat confused, and made
two or three conflicting statements, first stating
that he belonged to Maryland. butt afterwards
appeared he was q resident of this State. On
being asked II he knew where the Continental
Hotel was he said yes, but stated he had not
been near there since the middle Of the after
noon. He was taken to the Central Station and
subjected to rigid examination, but it ap-
pearing that he could not have had any com.
plicity with the supposed plot, he was dis
charged from custody.
Yesterday morning the sentries on duty
around the Knapsack department OF the United
States Arsenal on Gray's Ferry Road, noticed
q suspicious looking character proWIing
around that portion OF the establishment He
was hailed by two Of the sentinels but declined
to give any answer. He was again hailed, and
a movement made towards him, when he start.
ed of on a run. Two shots were then fired at
failed to take effect. This alarmed others on
duty at the Arsenal, and pursuit was at once
made. He was just seen to enter a brick yard
in the immediate neighborhoOd. and two shots
were fred at the party in pursuit from the
direction he had taken. These shots are thought
to have come from . revolver in the hands OF
the fugitive, which were fired for the purpose
of intimidating pursuit. Being favored by the
darkness, the fellow made good his escape.
Whether bis object in being in the vicinity Of
the Arsenal was to attempt to burn that build
ing, or whether he had some burglarious de-.
signs on surrounding dwellings, is OF course
known,