Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-07-03
The Baltimore Plot.


/ Inasmuch as we published the charge
against Marshal Kane of Baltimore, of be-
ing connected with and cognizant Of the
plot to assassinate President Lincoln while
passing through that city on his way to
Washington in 1861. We now give place
to letter which he publishes in his de-
Tense, and giving his version of the ar
engagements which were made for the re-
| ception of President Lincoln:
The first definite information of the day
and hour Of Mr.. Lincoln's expected arrival
in Baltimore on that occasion, was received
ny few days in advance of his coming.
His route was to be, according to, that in
formation. from Harrisburg to Baltimore
over the Northern Central railroad, arriv-
ing at this place at about half-past II o.
clock, and departing over the Baltimore &
Ohio, Washington branch at 8 p. IN. the
same day. AS soon as this information
was received, the master of transportation
of the latter road, Mr.. William Prescott
| Smith, addressed me note informing me
of the fact, asking that | would suggest
some mode of entertaining Mr.. Lincoln du-
ring his brief stay, in the absence of any
respectable number Of his own partisans in
Baltimore to do him honor, (there were,
think, only about one thousand Republican
votes cast for Mr.. Lincoln in Baltimore,
and they IN most part, were of the very
scum Of the city, and of the old ''club" or
ganization, though there were some few ex
ceptions, candidates for office and fanatics
on the negro question: and 20 avoid hav-
ing the impression go abroad that Cur
city had been wanting in respect for the
President elect Of the nation.
Immediately on the receipt of the note,
I called on General John S. Cuttings, the
then President of the Northern Central
Railroad, and communicated to him the
information had received. My reason for
selecting General Cuttings was the fact, of
which was aware, that there were some
kind Of business relations between him and
Senator Cameron, (who was talked of as
likely to become Cabinet officer), growing
out of the latter's being largely interested
in the ownership of the road of which Mr.
Cuttings was the President. I discussed
with General Cuttings the character of the
individuals who would likely press them
selves upon and to the annoyance of Mr..
Lincoln, and that thought something
should be done in his behalf, to all of
which that gentleman agreed. / then
suggested that as he was known at home
and abroad as a leading member of the
Democratic party of Mary land, and not a
candidate for public favors at the hands
of the new administration, and having a
commodious mansion eligibly situated near
the Washington monument, | thought it
would be a fit and graceful thing for him
to meet Mr.. Lincoln at the Maryland line,
and invite him and his family to become
his guests during his stay in Baltimore
70 these suggestions the General also
yielded approval.
1t was then agreed upon and arranged
that he should go upon this road the day
before Mr.. Lincoln was expected over it.,
and meet and welcome him at the Mary
land line, and as the train reached the
crossing on Charles street, north of the
monument, it was to be stopped at that
point, where was to be in readiness with
carriages to receive the General and his
guests, and convey them to Mount Vernon
place. The intended debarkation on north
Charles street was under no apprehension
or suspicion of intended violence or insult
to Mr.. Lincoln if carried to the depot but
because the route along Charles street,
| passing the monument, and through Mount
Vernon place, afforded view of the most
beautiful parts Of Baltimore, and would
relieve the visitors of the necessary annoy
ance and confusion incident to a railroad
depot; and even greater than these, the
annoyance of being brought into con-
tact with the element which would be in
waiting to advertise themselves for office
These arrangements were so far consum-
mated as that Cuttings went to the Mary
land line to meet Mr. Lincoln, and failing
to find him, received Mr.. Lincoln's family,
and conveyed them to his home, where
they remained during their stay in Balti-
more as his guests; and I had carriages
in readiness to carry out my part of the
arrangement, when the news reached Bal
timore that Mr.. Lincoln was in Washing
| ton. m sttI
| With these statements and explanations
the truth of which l imagine, neither Ken
needy or Pinkerton will call in question
and if they do, the parties to the arrange
ments to whom have referred still live
| feel quite certain that no intelligent and
honest mind will continue to credit the
repeated SANDERS upon Baltimoreans OF
having contemplated deed ofsuch savage
atrocity as that alleged to have been threat
ened by these detective policeman. That
Mr.. Lincoln was not imposed upon by the
invention of such people was abundantly
shown in the fact that before Starting from
Baltimore for Washington, she sent re-
quest that | would call and afford her op-
portunity Of making her Acknowledgements
for the interest / had shown in the ar
engagements which had been made; but
sudden and severe indispositon prevented
me from doing so. AS effectually as her
husband may for the time have been duped
by these people and led to course which
was subsequently matter Of deep regret to
himself and his friends, had the very best
reasons to know that he was very soon un-
deceived, and that should have enjoyed
the most substantial evidence of his conf
dence and favor after he became President
had | felt inclined to embrace it.
Yours very respectfully,
GEORGE P. KANE.
| Danvilie, Va.
|