New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-11

ward the south. a. though they expected
At this meeting explained the construction
Of the gates, ETC., stated that l was conf
dent the government had wind Of OurM0ve-
ment, and that the best thing we could do
would be to throw up the whole project.
BOOTH RESOLVES.
Every one seemed to coincide 10 my opin-
ion except Booth, who sat silent and alb
stracted, arising at last, and bringing down
his fist upon the table, he said, 4'WeH, gen
tlemen, if the worst comes to the worst, !
shall know what to do"
THEY DON'T AGREE WITH HIM.
Some hard words and even threats then
passed between him and some OF the party.
Four Of us then arose, one saying:
'If understand you to intimate anything
more than the capture Of Mr.. Lincoln, for
one bid you goodbye
Every one experienced the same OPINION.
We all arose and commenced putting our
hats on. Booth perceived, probably, that he
had gone too far, and asked pardon, saying
that he had drank too much champagne.
After some difficulty everything was anica-
bly, arranged, and we separated at five
o'clock III the morning.
EVERYTHING IN READINESS.
DAYS, weeks and months passed by with
out an opportunity presenting itself for us
to attempt the capture. We seldom cav
one another, owing to the maay rumors
atloat that conspiracy of some kind was
being cOncocted in Washington. We had
all arrangements perfected from Washing
ton for the purpose. Boats wese in readi-
ness to convey us across the river.
NARROW ESCAPE OF MIR. LINCOLN.
One day we received information that the
President would visit the Seventh street
Hospital for the purpose OF being present at
an entertainment to be given for the benefit
of wounded soldiers. The report only
reached us about three-quarters of an hour
before the time appointed, but SO perfect
was our communication that VIC were III
stantly in our saddles, on the way to the
hospital; this was between one and two
o'clock in the evening. 1t was our inten-
ton to seize tie carriage, which was drawn
by a splendid pair Of horses, and to 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,
as we were all mounted on swift horses, be-
sides having thorough knowledge Of the
country, it being determined to abandon
the carriage after passing the city limits.
Upon the suddenness Of the blow, and the
celebrity of our movements we depended for
success. BY the time the alarm could have
been given, and horses saddled, we would
have been on our way through Southern
Maryland toward the Potomac river. To
our great disappointment, however, the
President was not there but one of the gov
eminent officers. Mr.. Chase, if l mistake
not. We did not disturb him, as we wanted
a bigger chase (laughter) than he could
have afforded us. 1t was certainly a bitter
disappointment, but yet, l think, a most
fortunate one for us. 1t was our last at
tempt.
THE PLOT ABANDONED.
We, soon after this, became convinced
that we could not remain much longer un-
discovered, and that We must abandon our
enterprise. Accordingly separation finally
took place, and never after saw any Of the
party except one, and that was when was
on my way from Richmond to Canada on
business Of quite Il different nature, about
which will speak presently. Such is the
story OF our abduction plot. The last time
l saw any of the party went to hotel and
stopped over that night. As a detective
had been to my house inquiring of the SER
want my whereabouts, in the early train
next morning, Tuesday, April 4. 1863, left
for New York. and that was the last time
ever was in Washington till brought there
by the United States Government, Il captive
in irons, all reports to the contrary notwith-
standing.
HIS WHEREABOUTS CN THE FIFTEENTH OF
APRIL.
The United States. as YOU will remem her
tried to prove my presence i'll Washingt on
Oh the fifteenth OF April, the day on which
Mr.. Lincoln met his death. On arriving in
New York l called at Booths house, and
was told by the servant that he had left
that morning, suddenly, on the ground of
going to Boston to fulfil an engagement at
the theatre. In the evening OF the same
day took the cars for Montreal. arriving
there the next Ca. / put up at the
st. Lawrence Hotel. regist ering myself
as John Harrison, such being my two
first names.
PLOT FOR TIE RELEASE OF THE ELMIRA
PRISONERS.
Then he details his trip made once to FL
mira, New York. TO make a sketch of the
Confederate prisons there, and to perfect q
plot formed in Canada to release the pris-
Oners. The next day after his arrival at
Elmira he heard of the assassination, and
just as he was about to start for Washing
ton, but he reccnsidered his trip, and went
straight back to Canada, where he was
secreted till he went to Europe.
DID NOT DESERT HIS MOTHER.
He repels the charge that he deserted his
mother, and says that his Washington
friends advised him that. she was in no
danger, but does not mention that she knew
anything of the abduction plot. He says
that the witness, Weichman, on whose testi-
mony Mrs. Surratt was hung, was in the
abduction plot, and, while clerk in the
War Department. furnished Surratt with
knowledge Of Federal troops, which tie
latter conveyed to Richmond.