The Van Buren press., 1870-12-20

change"
There was long and ominous silence.
which at last was compelled to break
by asking: "Well, sir, what is your
proposition r. He sat quiet for an in
slant, and then before answering me
arose and looked under the bed, into the
wardrobe, in the doorway and the pas
sage, and then said we will have to be
careful walls have cars" He then drew
his chair close to me, and, in whisper
said, at is to kilnap President Lincoln
and carry him OIL to Richmond"
"KIDNAp PRESIDENT LINCOLN? 7?
| said. ! cQpfess that / stood aghast at
the hepropoS;tion and looked mpon it rs :.
foolhardy undertaking. To think Of sue
cessfully seizing Mr.. Lincoln in the capi.
tai Of the United States, surrounded by
thousands Of her soldiers, and Of carry,
ing him off to Richmond looked to me
like foolish idea. told him as much
He went on to tell with what facility he
could be seized in various places in and
about Washington, as for example in va.
rious rides to and from the Soldiers
home, his summer residence. Ilc enter
ed into the minute details of the propos-
ed capture, and even the various parts to
be performed by the actors in the per-
! formance | was amazed thunderstrdck,
and in fact might also say frightened
at the unparalleled audaeity Of this scheme.
After two days reflection ! told him that
WAS WILLING TO TRY.
believed it practicable at that time,
though | now regard it as loolhardy
undertaking. hope you do not blame
me for going thus far. honestly thought
an exchange of prisoners would be
brought about, could we have once OBJ
tained possession of Mr., Lincoln's per
son. And now reverse the case: Where
is there a 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 is not one who
would not have done SO. And Sc ] was
led on by sincere desire to assist the
south in gaining her independence. !
had no hesitation in taking part in any
thing honorable that might tend towards
the accomplishment of that object. IRE
mendous applause. Such thing as the
ASSASSINATION
or Mr. Lincoln never heard spoken of
by any Of the party, never! Sensation.
Upon one occasion | remember we had
called meeting in Washington for the
purpose of discussing matters in general,
as we had understood that the govern
ment had received information that there
n... mao even even c9Pe%enfvJ ,"a nnfdge, gates
opening towards the south, as though
they expected danger from within and
not from without. At this meeting eA'
planned the construction Of the gates,
etc, and stated that | was confident the
government had wind Of our movement
and that the best thing we could do
would be to throw up the whole project,
Every one seemed to coincide III my
opinion except Booth, who sat silent and
abstractod. Arising at last and bringing
down his fiat 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
passed between him and some ofthe par
ty. -Four of us then arose, one saying
/" If understand you to intimate any
thing more than the capture OF Mr.. Lin
colns for one will bid you good bye.
Every one expressed the same opinion.
We all arose and commenced putting our
hats on. Booth perceived probably that
he had gone too far and asked pardon,
saving that he had drank too much cham
pagne. After some difficulty, everything
was amcably arranged and wa separated
at clock in the morning.
DAYS, weeks and months passed by
without an opportunity presenting Itself
! for US to attempt the capture. We sell
! dom saw one another, owing to many ru'
mors anoat that II conspiracy OF some
| kind was being concocted in Washing
ton. We had all arrangements perfected
| from Washington for the epurposc. Boats
were in readiness to carry us across the
river. One day we received information
/ that the President would visit the Sev-
enth street hospital forthe purpose ofbe-
,ag present at an entertainment lo be
/ given for the benefit of the wounded sol
diers. The report only reached us about
three quarters OF an hour before the time
appointed; but so perfect was our com
munication that we were instantly in our
saddles on the way to the hospital. This
was between and O'Clock in the after
noon. 1t was our intention to
! SEIZE THE CARRIAGE,
Which was drawn by splendid pair OF
horses, and have one of our men mount
the box and drive direct for southern
Maryland, Via Benning's bridge. We
| felt confident that all the cavalry in the
city could never overhaul Us. We were
all mounted on swift horses, besides hav.
ing thorough knowledge OF the coun
nv. it being determined to abandon the
carriage after passing the city limits.
! Upon the suddcnness Of the blow and tho
celerity of our movements we depended
for success l'y the time the alarm could
j have been given and horses saddled we
would have been on our way through
southern Maryland towards the Potomac
river. TO our great disappointment,
however, the President was not there ;
but one of the government officials, Mr.
| Chase if mistake not. We did not dis