Weekly Trinity journal., 1868-07-18

operated upon, Deen tnHatneu anu SAoSP~ANs>~
to the highest pitch. Thousands OF the moro
ignorant had been wrought upon by the intelil-
gent until they were ready for any act OF vlo-
lence and atrocity. The leaders finally fully ce-
termined that the assassination should take place
ut the Calvert street depot. vast crowd OF
secessionsts was to assemble at that place and
await the arrival of the train with MIR. Lincoln.
They we're to go early and fill the narrow streets
and passages Immediately surrounding it. 1t
was known among the leaders that George r.
Kane, the Marshall of Police, subsequently ar
rested by General Banks, and afterwards an Of
fcer in the rebel army, would detail but
small police force to attend the arrival and nom
inally clear and protect passage for Mr.. Lin
coin and his suite, and that that small force
would be sympathzers with the secesslonists
When the train should enter the depot, and Mr..
Lincoln should attompt to pass through the mar
row passage leading to the street, some roughs
were to raise row on the outside, and all tho
police were to rush away to quell the disturb
ance. At this moment, the police being with
drawn Mr.. Lincoln would find himself in q
dense, excited and hostile crowd, hustled and
jammed, and then the fatal blow was to bs
struck. swift steamer was TO be stationed III
Chesapeake Bay, with boat concealed, ready to
take the assassin on board as soon rs the deed
was done, and convey him 10 a Southern port,
where be would have been received with accla-
nations, and honored as a hero. But who
should do the bloody deed? II was feared by
some that Hill lacked the nerve and cooiness.
To determine this question meeting of the con-
spirators was held the 18th OF February.
Some twenty persons were collected, each OF
whom had taken an oath of secresy, and also
sworn, if designated. that be would take the
life of the President elect. 1t was arranged that
ballots should be prepared and placed in hat,
and the person who drew red ballot should be
the assassin.
Mr. Pinkerton found it hard to persuade Mr.
Lincoln of the existence of the conspiracy.
While Mr.. Judd detailed the circumstance of
the conspiracy, Mr.. Lincoln listened very atten-
lively, but did not say word, nor cid his
countenance which closely watched, show any
emotion. He thoughtful, serious, but de-
cidedy firm.
Pinkerton then, himself, went over the ground.
detailing to Mr.. Lincoln all the facts cannected
with Fernandina Hill and others, the condition
of popular feeling, and the plans OF the assas-
sins; also the fact that Kane, the Chief Of Po-
lice, declared that he would give him no police
escort. He told him there were perhaps ten or
fifteen desperadoes Wild, enthusiastic young
men-who had been wrought up TO pitch OF
fanaticism in which they really bellcved they
would he patriots and martyrs in taking his life,
even at the cost of their own; that they had
bound themselves by oaihs to assassinate him
that vast, excited crowd would meet him at
the depot of the Northern Centra! Railroad, a
fight would be got up in the crowd, and this
would be the signal for the attack on his person,
with revolvcrs and d'dirks, each sworn to take his
life, would be upon his path, aud that he (Mr.
Pinkertonl felt a moral conyiton that he coulG
not pass from the Calvert street depot, a mile
and a-half, in an open carriage. alive. Both
Judd and Pinkerton pressed these aud other cor
roGorating facts upon him with all the power
which they possessed He remained silent few
moments, and il was suggested that he should
change the programme, and take the night train
for Washington that very night. NJ. Judd said
to him "These proofs not be now made
public, as the publication of the facts would in
volye the lives of several of Mr.. pinkertons
force, and, among others, the life of Webster,
serving in rebel company under drill, at Perry
man S, in Maryland" Some other conversation
was held between him and Mr.. Judd, in regard
to the construction which would be placed upon
his conduct if he changed the programme and
went directly to Washington. Mr.. Jndd then
asked, q Will you, upon any statement which
can be made, consent to leave for Washington
on to-nights train p Mr.. Lincoln promptly
piled 'No, cannot consent to do this shall
hoist the flag on independence Hall tomorrow
morning (Washngtons birthday) and go to
Harrisburg tomorrow, and meet the Legislature
Of Pennsylvania, and then shall have fulfilled
all my engagements. After this, if you (Judd),
and you, Allan (Piukerton), think there is posi-
tive danger in my attempting TO go through Ball
tmore openly, according to the published pro-
granme, if you can arrange any way to carry
Pi.'SN
hands" "Mr. Lincoln, - says Pinkerton, said
this with g tone and manner decisive, saw
that more was to be said.
1t was finally arranged between Judd, Pinker-
ton, and the officers of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, that special train should leave Harris
burg at o clock the next evening, and bring
Mr.. Lincoln to Philadelphia in time to take the
IL o'clock train going through Baltimore to
Washington, on the night of the 221 This train
WAS TO be detained until Mr.. Lincoln arrived
every contingency in regard to the connection
of the trains and possible delays was most skill
fully planned, as to secure connections and
+ the certainty OF going through on time.
Meanwhile, to prevent this change being teie-
graphed Baltimore by confederate, in
formation of this change of route being known
and leaking out in any way, the superiutendent
of the telegraph company, at the instance of Mr..
Pinkerton, sent practical telegraph climber to
/ isolate Harrisburg from teegraphic communiea-
ton with all the world until Mr. Lincoln should
reach Washington