Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-04
Mr. Davis---The Assassination Plot.
Iron tho New York Tribune.


A PhiIadel phia paper publishes the follow
ing letter received in that city in reference to
the remark made by Jefferson Davis at Char
lott N c., on receiving the despatch announcing
President Lincoln's assassination, as given in
the testimony Of Mr.. Bates during the trial of
the assassns. The writer is Northern man,
. near relative of distinguished officer of the
Northern army, and Federal Office holder.
He says
''We have Just heard of the surrender Of
General Lees army. The Methodist mission
ary who first brought the news, narrow y escap-
ed the guardhouse when he related it. Soon
after cavalry escort approaced the town,
headed by a civilian, soon recognized as MIR.
Davis. He stopped at the house of MIR. Bates,
an agent OF Adams Express Company, where
he had been invited by telegraph [ was with
in few feet of the door when he alighted from
his horse, and ascending the step, he made
short address, Not word was said about Mr..
Lincon's death, for nothing of it was then
known. The door of the house being locked,
there was slight delay afterward.
"As he remained in this position, an agent Of
the telegraph Office passed me, carrying des-
patch which had anticipated the arrival OF Mr.
Davis When the envelope was opened, Mr..
Davis read the note with earnest and grave
concern, and turning to gentleman-Mr.
VIM. Johnson standing nearest him, ne hand
ed it to him and remarked, This is very ex-
traordinary communication. No other word
was uttered by him. Al soon as it was glanced
over, the gentleman inquired Shall read 1t
to the peope?' Without word of reply,
seemingly occupied with sad and serious
thoughts, Mr.. Davis moved on one side to
make room for the gentleman, who read aloud
the despatch announcing the assassination Of
President Lincoln at the theatre in Washing
ton at ten clock at night, and simultaneous
attempt upon the life OF the Secretary OF State,
Mr.. Seward
mot another word was said and there was
no note or appearance of exultatlon among
large crowd of soldiers and civilians, whose
countenances regarded attentively. All were
silent with surprise, astonshment or doubt.
For my own part / did not credit the despatch
The next morning early, went with friend
to see Mr.. Davis, in order to thank him tor his
kindness to one of my family, whom he had
permitted to pass the lines to visit her brother,
Major General --, y. S..A., at that time
stationed below Richmond In the course of
the conversation I asked Mr.. Davis if he ere
dited the report of the assassination of Mr..
Lincolo He replied gravely, in his usual man
ner, that he could not regard it as mere re-
port, for he had received the despatch from
Gen. Breckinridge who, he had reason to
believe, was in communication with General
Sherman's headquarters, whence the inforna-
ton was directly obtained.
He said: lie considered it, if true, the
most unfortunate occurrence for the South, at
moment when Mr.. Lincoln had expressed a
disposition to accept or offer favorable terms.
1t is generally acknowledged and known here
that nothing could be more unlike an express
sion of exuItation or satisfaction, than the de-
meanor and language of Mr.. Davis on this SUBJ
jcct The very contrary can be proved by sew
eral who have conversed with him, who were
much more intimate with him than |, l write
this to you as simple act of justice to Mr.
Davis, in reference to his position, without po--
litical or sectional bias of any kind, which |
strive to avoid"