Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-07

agnast al the propos1uon, and looked upon ii as
fally seizing Mr.. Line Jln in the capital Of the
United States surrounded by thousands OF his
10 diers, and carrying him OFF to Richmond
looked TO me like a foolish idea. / told him as
much. He went on to tell with Whist facility he
could be seized in various places In and about
Washington. As for example in his various
rides 70 and from the Soldiers Home his sum-
mer residence. he entered intothe minute de-
tails OF the proposed capture, and even the var
ious parts to be performed by the actors in the
performance. was smazed-thunderstruck-
ans IN TACT, might aiso say, frightened at the
UNPARALLELED tUDhCITY
OF this scheme. After two DAYS reflection tod
km was willing to try it believed it Prac-
ioolhardy undertaking. 1 hope you will not
blame me for going THIS far. honestly thought
an exchange of prisoners could be brou ght
about could we have once obtained possession
OF Mr.. LiDcolns person. And now reverse the
case. Where is there O young man in the North
with one spark Of patriotism in his heart who
would not have with enthusiastic ardOr joined
IN any undertaking for the capture OF jefferson
DAVIS and brought him to Washington? There
rs not one who would not have done SO. And so
was led on by sincere desire to assist the
south in gaining her independence. had no
hesitation in taking part n nything honorable
that might tend towards the accomplishment
OF that object. Tremendous applause Such
a thing as the assassination OF Dir.
Lincoln never heard spoken of by
any Of the party. Nerer lSensation.l
Upon one occasion, 1 remember. we had called
meeting in Washington for the purpose of dis
cussing matters in general as we had unde--
stood that the government had received infor-
nation that there was plot of some kind on
hand. They had even commenced to build
stockade and gates on the navy yard bridge;
gates opening towards the south a. though they
expected danger from within and not from with
out. Al this meeting explained the construc-
ton of the gates &c, and st ated that was con-
hdent the government had wind OF our move
ment. and that the best thing we could do would
be to throw up the whole project. Every one
seemed TO coincide in my opinion, except
Booth, who sat silent and distracted. Arising
at last and bringing down his fist upon the table
he said: "well, gentlemen, if the worst comes
to the worst, shall
KNOW WHAT To DO"
Some hard words and even threats then pass
cd between him and some of the party. Four
you TO intimate anything more than the capture
OF MIR. Lincoln for one will bid you good bye"
arose and commenced putting our hats on. Booth
perceiviDg probably that he had gone too far,
asked pardon saying that he "had drank too
everything was amcably arranged and we sen,
arated at O'Clock in the morning. DAYS
weeks and months passed By without an oppor-
tunity presented itselffor us to attempt the cap
ture. We seldom saw one another owing to the
many rumors a1oat that conspiracy of some
kind was being concocted in Washington. We
had all arrangements perfected from Washing
ton for the purpose. Boats were in reaii-
ness TO carry US across the river One dav we
received information that the President would
seventh street hOSpltal Tor the pur-
pose OF being present Al an entertainment 10 be
given for the benefit of the wounded soldiers.
The report only reached us about three nu arters
OF an hour before the time appointed, but 80
perfect was our communication that we were
instantly in our saddles on the way to the hos
pital. This was between one and two O'Clock
in the afternoon. 1t was our intention to
SEIZE THE CARRIAGE,
which was drawn by splendid pair of horses
and to have one of our men mount the box
and drive direct for southern Maryland via
fol It, .Las
the cavalry in the city could never overhaul us.
We were all mounted on swift horses besides
having thorough knowledge of the country il
being determined to abandon the carriage after
passing the city limits. Upon the
sUDDKNSRss OF THE blow
and the celebrity OF our movements we depended
for success. BY the time the alarm could have
been given and horses sadded, we would have
been on our way through southern MARYLAND
towards the Potomac river. To our great disap-
pointInent, however the President was not there
but one OF the government officials-Mr. Chase,
If mistake not. We did not disturb him, a.
we wanted bigger cLas, daughter than he
could have afforded US. Ii was certainly bitter
disappointment, but vet think most fOrtunat.
one Tor US. 1t was our last attempt. We soon
after this became convinced that we could not
remain much longer undiscovered, and that we
aust abandon our enterprise. Accordingly, q
separation finally took place, and never alter
saw any OF the party except one, and that was
when was on my way from Richmond to Can
ada on business of quite a different nature
about which, presently. Such is the story of
OUR ABDUCTION PLOT.
Rash, perhaps foolish, but honOr2 able main
tain IN its means and ends; actuated by such
motives as would under similar circumstances
ne sufhcient inducement to thousand OF south
ern young men TO have embarked in a similar
enterprise. Shortly after our abandonment OF
the abduction scheme, some dispatches came TO
me which was compelled 10 see through to
Richmond. They were foreign ones, and had
10 reference whatever to this affair. | accord
ingly left home for Richmond, and arriy ed there
safely on the Friday evening before the evacua-
ton OF that city. ON my arrival | went TO
Spotswood Hotel, where / was told that MIR.
Benjamin. the then Secretary OF War OF the
Confederate States wanted TO see me. l accord
iDgly sought his presence. He asked me if [
would carry some dispatches to Canada for him
replied yes. That evening he gave me the
dispatches and 500 in gold with which 10 paw
ever received from the Confederate government
or any of its agents. IL may be well to remark
here that this scheme OF abduction was con-
cOcted without the knowledge or the assistance
THE soNyEsERATr GOVERNMENT
in any shape or form. Booth and often coz
suited together as to whether 1t would not De
well TO acquaint the authorities in Richmond
with our plan, as We were sadly in want OF
money, our expenses being very heavy. In tact
the question arose among us as to whether,
APTHR GETTING Mr.. LINCOLN,
II we succeeded in our plan, the Confederate
authorities would not surrender US to the United
States again, because of doing this thing with
out their know ledge or consent. But we never
had anything in the wide world TO DO with il.
In fact, We were jealous OF our undertaking and
wanted no outside help. l have not made this
statement TO defend the officers of the COnfed-
crate government. They are perfectly able to
defend themselves What have done myself
am not ashamed to let the world know. l left
Richmond on Saturday morning before the
evacuation of that place, and reached Washing
ton the following Monday at O'Clock p. M,
April Sd, 1865. As soon as l reached the Mary
land shore 1 understood that the detectives
knew of my trip South and were on the lookout
for me. l had been South several times before
for
THE SECRET SERVICE.
but had never been caught. At that time was
carrying the dispatches Mr.. Benz amin gave me;
In . book entitled "The life OF John Brown"
During my trip, and while reading that book, 1
learned, to my utter amaZement, that
JOHN BROWN
was martyr sitting at the right hand OF God.
llproarious laughter.l 1 succeeded in reaching
Washington safely. and in passing up Seventh
street met one of our party, who in9 uired what
had become OF Booth. told him where had
been; that was then on my way to Canada
and that had not seen or heard anything OF
Booth since our separation. In view Of the Fact
that Richmond had fallen, and that all hopes OF
the abduction OF the President had been given
up, advised him to 60 home and 60 to work.