The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-10

the object for which We combined to-
gether. The brayest heart, surrounded
by foes, looks eagerly around for some
opening of escape before ne commences
action. Thus it was with me, con-
scious of the fact that failure would be
followed by arrest by the government
of the United States, trial before mil
itary tribunal on the specific charge Of
being spies, which would more than
i probable consign each to an igno-
minious death. All OF this was brought
to bear upon him, and conyersed over,
without producing the slightest effect
in changing his resolve.
| OPPORTUNITIES WASTED.
| On two occasions most favorable OPP
portunfties presented themselves,
which. if Booth had theoretically NOV
! ed in the premises, or had desire 9TH
| er than attempting it at the theater,
I am perfectly confident that it would
have proven successful beyond doubt.
These were occasions before had be-
come acquainted with the fact that
others than Surratt and ourselves, al
ready spoken of, were connected in the
enterprise The president passed over
the Eastern Branch Bridge, accom-
panied only by his coachman, and a
single guest within the carriage. To
what point he went beyond was not
known, his movement having been
overlooked only so far as to ascertain
the fact that he had passed over the
river.
Information was Immediately con-
viewed to Booth of these occurrences.
He paid but slight attention to the
matter, on account, as he said, of the
pressure of business at the time, and
thus the only and the most favorable
opportunities were permitted to pass
by without, it may be truly spoken, the
slightest notice being taken there OF
him. 1t became impossible under these
circumstances to feel like continuing in
the affair, when inaction and inatten-
ton were becoming the ruling
elements, delay tending to cause our
positions daily to become more inse-
cure.
The month of January had passed
and as yet nothing had been accom-
plisbed, February ushered itself in
only to be a repetition Of the former
month; as Booth, through riotous liv-
ing and dissipation, was compelled tc
visit the City of New York for the pur-
pose of replenishing his squandered
means. His absence continued nearly
the entire month. caused by the great
difficulty experienced in borrowing
money. His visit did not extend be-
yond the City of New York, neither die
he go for any other purpose than thai
above stated which fact was made
known to me on his return to Wash
ington, on or about the 25th day Of
February, 1866.
GAS" MAN REFUSED.
During my whole connection witt
Booth there was but one visit made t.
Canada by him, this occurring at OF
about the time of the st. Adams raid
in which he was not concerned, his Wis
it there being, as before stated. for thu
purpose of shipping his wardrobe b!
way of Nassau to the Confederate
States.
In his visit in New York in thu
month of February he tried to induce ;
man by the name of Samuel Chester t.
engage in the enterprise, he being, a
Booth said, under obligations to him
The part allotted for him to perform
was the turning off of the gas on tn
night in question, so that in the dark
ness enveloping the house and confus
ion created therfrom,, the abduction
could be made a success. Many thing
combining caused him to fail in this
Chester would take no part in it, an
Booth determined to attempt it with
out the assistance of any others, othe
than those already connected with tn
affair.