Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-06-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
yIr. LincOIn's Entrance into vyash-
ingtOn.
THE ORIGINAL ASSASSINATION PLoT-Hrs own
ACCOUNT OF HIS FLIGHT.


ingtOn.
THE ORIGINAL ASSASSINATION PLoT-Hrs own
ACCOUNT OF HIS FLIGHT.
While in Washington city, early in De-
cember, 1864, the writer of this article called
on The President, with Isaac N. Arnold,
member OF Congress from Chicago, one of
MT Lncolns most trusted personal friends.
we Iound MIN alone in the room wherein
tne Oaoinet meetings are held GI the White
uouse), whose windows overlook the Poto-
mac and Washington Monument At the
request of the writer, the President related
the circumstances of his clandestine iournev
between Philadelphia and Washington. The
narrative is here given substantially IN his
own words, as follows:
II arrived in Philadelphia on the 2!st. I
agreed to stop over night and on the fol-
lowing morning hoist the flag over Indepen-
dence Hall. In the evening there was a
great crowd where received my friends at
the Continental Hotel. Mr.. Judd, warm
personal friend from Chicago, sent for me to
come to his room. / went, and found there
Mr.. Pipkerton, skillful police detective,
also from Chicago, who had been employed
for some days in Baltimore, watching or
searching for suspicious persons there. Pin
kerton informed me that plan had been
laid for my assassination, the exact time
when l expected to 60 through Baltimore
being publicly known. He was we'll in
formed as to the plan, but did not know
that the conspirators would have pluck
enough to execute it. He urged me to 60
right through with him to Washington that
night.
II didn't like that. had made engage
ments to visit Harrisburg, and go from there
to Baltimore, and l resolved to do so. /
could not believe that there was a plot to
murder me. / made arrangements, however,
with Mr.. judd for my return to Philadel-
phia the next night if should be convinced
that there was danger in going through
Baltimore. told him that if should meet
at Harrisburg, as l had at other places, a
delegation to 60 with me to the next place
(then Bahimore), l should feel safe and 60
on.
"When was making my way back to my
room, through crowds of people, | met
Frederick Seward. We went together to
my room, when he told me that he had been
sent at the instance of his father and Gene
raj Scott, to inform me that their detectives
in Baltimore, had discovered plot there tc
assassinate me. They knew nothing o.
Pinkerton's movements. l now believed
such plot to be in existence.
"The next morning raised the flag ove
Independence Hall, and then went to Har
risburg with Mr. Sumner, Major (now Gene
raD Hunter, Mr.. Judd, Mr.. Lamon ant
Others. There met the Legislature and peo
pie, dined, and waited until the time ap
pointed for me to leave. In the meantime
Mr.. judd had so secured the telegraph that
no communication could pass to Baltimore
and give the conspira.ors knowledge of q
change of my plans.
"In New York some friend had given me
new beaver hat in box, ana in 1t had
placed a soft wool hat. l had this box in
my room. Having informed very few
friends of the secret of my new movements
and the cause, put on an old overcoat
had with me, and putting the soft hat in
my pocket, I walked ont of the house at 9
back door, bare-hcaded, without exciting
any special curiosity. Then put on the
soft hat and joined my friends without be
ing recognized by strangers, for was moi
the same man. Sumner an6 Hunter wished
10 accompany me. said no, you arr
known, and your presence might betray me
will only take Lamon (now marshal o
this district) whom nobody knew, and MI
Judd, Sumner and Hunter felt hurt.
"We went back to Philadelphia, ant
I found message there from Pinkerton (wh
| had returned to Baltimore), that the con
! spirators had held their 1nal meeting tina
evening, and it was doubtful whether the
had the nerve to attempt the execution @
their purpose. l went on, however, as tn
arrangement had been made, in a specis
train. We were long time in the static
at Baltimore. l heard people talkin
around, but no one particularly observe
me- At an early hour on Saturday morning
at about the time was expected to leay
Harrisburg, arrived in Washington.