National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-12-18
The Baltimore Plot.


The veil Of mystery has never
been yet been lifted from the evi.
dence disclosing the plot. to assaasi-
nate Abraham Lincoln, on his con-
templated passage through Balti-
more, On the 23d of February, 1861.
Considerations affecting the per
sonal safety of those by whom the
conspiracy was detected prevented
a disclosure at the time. The sub
| sequent assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln
and the disclosures connected with
the trial aud conviction of Booth :
companions removing any doubt in
regard to the real existence of the
plot,
| The truth may now be disclosed,
and the public desire to know the
exact facts upon which Mr.. Lincoln
acted may now he gratltied The
circumstances detailed IN this arti-
Gle are taken frem the records Of
Allan Piukerton, the chief detective,
and are selected from the report
written out daily at the time, by
those engaged in the investigation,
and they are believed by the writer
of this article to be true.
There was living in 1851 in Chi
cago a man by the name of Allan
Pinkerton. one Of the boldest, most
shrewd and skillful detectives Of
any country. He had always been
a thorough anti slavery man, q su-
pclintendent of the underground
railroad" a friend aud companion
Of Lovcjoy and the cold guard OF
early aG2,itiouists in Illinois. With
his anti slavery character well
known such was his reputation as a
detective that Mr.. Guthrie. when
/ Secretary Of the Treasury, had, not
wthstanding, employed him as a
Government detective. In lSj0-6l
he was n the employ Of the railroad
companies OF the Northeast.
Ii tie winter Of 1861 Gen. Scott
seeing the gathering storm, called
| to Washington y few national
/ troops. The passage Of these over
/ the Northern Central and PhiIadel-
/ phia, Wilmington aad Baltimore
railroads greatly exasnerated the
cousDil3.ars in Baltimore and else.
where. and threats were openly
made. and organizations effected. to
destroy the railroad tracks, burn
| the BRIDGES. and the great steam
| ferry boat Ay Which the SuSquehan.
ma was crossed at Hayre de Grace.
In February Pmkcrlon was EN-
/ nloypd by The officers Of the phila
dplpAia. Wilmington and Baltimore
road TO investigate and ascertain
the facts in regard TO these matters
with a view to protecting their road.
For this purpose he removed tu Bal
timara, taking With him such of lis
force as he The lght best suited 20
his puyuosc.
While thus engaged an officer OF
the read learned lhat Young gen.
tlcmau of high social position in
Baltimore, the son Of q very promi
ncnt citizen who had held high Off
cial uosition under the State and
| Nationa, Governments, declared
that be was one of a band who had
sworn 70 takr tht lif, Of Lincoln ar
his way 70 Washjurton. The OIL
cor communicated his fact to Pink
crtou. and he immediately aske,
and Obtained permissiou t1 inves,i
oate mi. consniracy.
Ills ,,lon v.is win his detective,
~ nntnr E,lti3ora rs residents @
Cb,rle IN and New Orleans. an,
by aSsumjrr t. be Sc ,rssiynistS O
thr most extreme violence. TO :,
. c,,te ,,tranco into thrir secret soci
eties and military ORGANIZATIONS. an,
tbus n,ssrss themselves If their 4,
cret mans In looking over hi
= corns he Cound two men admira5l,
odanted to the object lie hal i,
view. hoth ,onpo. and both able +
assume and successfully carry ou
the character of a hot hiooded seee,
siopist. one of these whom W
will call Howard. was of French G,
scent He had been carefully cdr
Gated for Jessuit priest. and ad,
/, inc 70 his colleeiate studies wei
t the advantages Of extensive foreie
u travel and the ability to speak, wit
t great facility several modern laI
: guages; and knowledge of til
South, its localities. prciudiccs, cu'
toms aud leading men, derived frol
soy eral years residence in New O