The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-04-28

LAST HoURs or THE pREsTDRNr.-As every.
thing pertaining to tho last hours OF the late
President must be interesting to tho public,
the following incidents OF tho last day of his
life have been obtained from several sources :
His son. Capt Lincoln. brcakfasted with him
on Friday morning, having just returned from
the capitulatiOn of Lee, and the President pass
oil o happy hour, listening to all the details.
While ut breakfast he heard that Speaker Col
fax was in the house. and sent word that he
wished to see him Immediately in the reception
room. lie conversed with him nearly nm hour
about his future policy rs TO tho rebellion,
which he was about to submit TO his Cabinet.
Afterward hp had an interview with Mr.. Hale,
Minister to Spain. and several Senator'S and
Representatives.
At IL o'clock tho Cabinet and Gen. Grant met
with him, anil In one of the most satisfactory
Cabinet meetings held since his first inaugura-
ton, the future policy of the Administration
was tremendously and unanimously agreed mp
on. When II adjourned, Secretary Stanton said
he fell that the Government was stronger than
at nry previous period since the rebellion COM
menos'i
In the afternoon the President had long and
pleasant interview with Gen. Oglesby, Senator
Yates and other leading 'citilens Of his State
In the evening Mr.. Colfax called again, Mt his
request, and Mr.. Ashmun Of Massachusetts,.
who presided over the Chicago Convention of
1860, was present. To them he spoke of his
visi, to Richmond, aud when they stated that
there was much uncasiness ut the North while
he was at the rebel capital, for fear that some
traitor might shoot him, he ieplied, jocularly,
that he would have been alarmed himself IL any
other person had been President and gone there,
h,,t that ba IiI mt faol hat p In Al
ger whatever.
Conversng on matter of business with MIR.
Ashmun, he made remark that he saw Mr..
Ashmun was surprised ut. and Immediately,
with his we'll known kindness Of heart, said
"You did not understand me, Ashmun. did
not mean what you inferred, and will take II
all hack and apologize for IT," He afterward
gave Mr.. Ashmun card to admit himself and
friend early next morning to converse further
about II.
Turning to Mr.. Colfax, he said: "You are
going with me and Mrs. Lincoln to the theatre.
I hope" but Mr., Colfax had other engage
ments, expecting to leave tho city the next
morning. lie then said to Mr.. Colfax "Mr.
Sumner has the gavel Of the Confederate Con-
grcss, which he got ut Richmond, to hand to
the Secretary Of War, but insisted then that
he must give Il to you. Tell him for me to
hand IL over" Mr.. Ashmun alluded 10 the
gavel which he still had, and which he had used
at the Chicago Convention, and the President
and Mrs. Lincoln. who was also In the parlor,
rose TO 60 to the theatre. II was half an hour
after the time they had intended to start. and
they spoke about Whiting half an hour longer,
and the President startc1 with much reluctance,
ms Gen. Grant had gone North, but he did not
wish the people to be disappointed. Us they had
both been advertised to be there.
AT tho door he stopped and said "Colf,x,
do not forget to tell the people In the mining
regions, rs you pass through them, what told
YOU this morning about the development when
neaoe comes, and will telegraph you ut San
Francisco" lie shook hands with both gentle
men with q pleasant .'good by" and left the
Executive mansion mover to return to It alive.