Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-21
O9lo(I. States'.r|.l.1aI':rIIl'IL. IN. II Il |
lFrom The New York World] =
Inst Hours of the President.

- I
AS everything pertaining to the last
hours OF the late President must be inter-
esting to the public, the following incidents
of the last day of his life have been obtain
ed from several sources:
His son, Capt. Lincoln, breakfasted with
him on Friday morning, having just return
ed from the capitulation of Lee, and the
President passed a happy hour listening 10
all the details. While at breakfast, he heard
that Speaker Colfax was in the house, and
sent word that he wished to see him imme-
diately in the reception-room. lie convers-
ed with him nearly an hour about his tu-
ture policy as to the rebellion, which he
was about to submit to the Cabinet. Af-
terward hehad an interview with Mr.. Hale,
Minister to Spain, and several Senators and
Representatives. M .-l-Hrs3u 8,
At eleven o'clock, the Cabinet and Gen.
Grant met with him, and in one of the most
satisfactory and important Cabinet meetings
held since his first Inauguration, the future
policy of the Administration was harmoni-
Ously and unanimously agreed on. When
it adjourned, Secretary Stanton said he felt
that the Government was stronger than at
any previous period since the rebellion com
menced. In the afternoon the President
had long and pleasant interview with Gov
ernor Oglesby, Senator Yates, and other
leading citizens of his State. In the even
ing Mr. ColfaX called again at his request,
and Mr.. Ashmun, of Massachusetts,, who
presided over the Chicago Convention of
1860, was present. 10 them he spoke of his
visit to Richmond, and when they stated
that there was much uneasiness at the
North while he was at the rebel Capital, for
fear that some traitor might shoot him, he
replied jocularly that he would have been
alarmed himself if any other person had
been Presidentand gone there, but that he did
not feel any danger whatever. Conversing
on a matter of business with Mr.. Ashmun,
he made a remark that he saw Mr.. Ashmun
was surprised at; and Immediately, with his
well-known kindness of heart, said, "You
did not understand me, Ashmun: / did not
mean what you inferred, and l will take it
all back and apologize for it." He after
ward gave Mr.. Ashmun a card to admit
himself and friend early the next morning
to converse further about it.
Turning to Mr.. Colfax he said: "You are
going with Mrs. Lincoln and me to the the
ater, / hope" But Mr.. ColfaX had other en-
gagements, expecting to leave the city the
next morning.
He then said to Mr.. Colfax: "Mr. Sumner
has the gavel of the Confederate Congress
which he got at Richmond to hand to the
Secretary of War, but insisted then that
he must give it to you; and you tell him for
me to hand it over" Mr.. Ashmun alluded
to 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 theater.
1t was half an hour after the time they had
intended to start and they spoke about wait
ing half an hour longer, for the President
went with reluctance, as Gen. Grant had
gone north, and he did not wish the people
to be disappointed, as they had both been
advertised to be there. At the door he
stopped and said: "Colfax, do not forget to
toll the people in the mining regions. as YOU
pass through them, what told you this
morning about the development when peace
comes, and will telegraph you at San
Francisco" He shook hands with both gen.
tlemen with pleasant goodbye, and left
the Executive Mansion never to return to
il alive! ... ..