Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-06-15


SECRET JOURNEY FROM PHILADEL-
PHIA TO WASHINGTON, Jusr PRIOR
TO Hrs INAueuRATIoN.
The following is taken from Lossing's
"Life of Abraham Lincoln,
While in Washington city, early in De-
cember, 1864, the writer called on the
President, with Isaac N. Arnold. member
of Congress from Chicago, one of Mr..
Lincoln's most trusted personal friends.---
We found him alone in the room wherein
the Cabinet meetings are. held Tin the
White House,) whose windows overlook
the Potomac and the Washington Monu-
ment. AT the request of the writer, the
President related the circumstances of his
clandestine journey between Philadelphia
and Washington. The narrative is here
given substantially in his own words, as
81 arrived in Philadelphia on the 21st.
l agreed to stop over night, and on the
following morning hoist the flag over In
dependence Hail. In the evening there
was crowd where received my friends,
at the Continental Hotel Mr.. Judd,
warm personal friend from Chicago, sent
for me to come to his room. i went, and
found there Mr.. Pinkerton, skillful po-
lice detective, also from Chicago, who had
been employed for some days in Balti-
more, watching or searching for suspicious
persons there. Pinkerton informed me
that plan had been laid for my assassi-
nation, the exact time when l expected to
90 through Baltimore being publicly
known. He was well informed as to the
plan, but did not know as the conspirators
would have pluck enough to execute it,
He urged me to go right through with him
to Washington that night. l didn't like
that. had made arrangements TO visit
Harrisburg, and 60 from there to Balti-
more, and / resolved to do so. could not
believe that there was plot to murder
me. l made arrangements, however with
Mr.. Judd for my return to Philadelphia
the next night, if should be convinced
there was danger in going through Balti-
more. / told him that if should meet
at Harrisburg, as had at other places, a
delegation to go with me to the next place
| (then Baltimore ! should feel safe, and
go on.
When was making my way back to
my room through crowds of people,
met Frederick Seward. We went togeth-
er to my room, when he told me that he
had been sent, at the instance OF his faith
er and Gen. Scott tosinform me that their
| detectives in Baltimore had discovered a
plot there to assassinate me. They knew
nothing of Pinkerton's movements. !
now believed such a plot to be in exist
ence.
" The next morning raised the flag
over Independence Hall, and then went
on to Harrisburg with Mr.. Sumner, Major
(now GeneraD Hunter Mr.. Judd, Mr..
Lamon, and Others. There / met the
Legislature and people, dined, and waited
until the time appointed for me to leave.
In the meantime, Mr.. Judd had SO secur-
ed the tell graph that no communication
could pass to Baltimore and give the con-
spirators knowledge of a change in my
plans. 3i HIiH 9i a{ q
In New York some friend had given me
new beaver hat in box, and in it had
placed a soft wool hat. l had never worn
one Of the latter in my life. ] had this
box in my ROOM. Having informed a
few friends of the secret of my new move
ments, and the cause, put on an old over
coat that had with me, and, putting the
soft hat in my pocket, l walked out of the
house at a back door, bareheaded, without
exciting a special curiosity. Then l put
on the soft hat and joined my friends
without being recognized by strangers, for
| was not the same man. Sumner and
Hunter wished to accompany me. said no;
you are known, and your presence might
betray me. Twill only take Lamon (now
Marshal Of this district), whom nobody
knew, and Mr.. Judd, Sumner, and Hun
ter felt hurt. g ~
We went back to Philadelphia and found
a message from Pinkerton, (who had re-
turned to Baltimore,) that the conspira-
tors had held their annual meeting that
evening. and it was doubtful whether they
had the nerve to attempt the execution of
their purpose. / went on, however, as
the arrangement had been made, in
special train. We were a long time in
the station at Baltimore. ! heard people
talking around, but no one particularly
observed me. At an early hour on Sat-
urday morning, at about the time l was
expected to leave Harrisburg, / arrived
in Washington"