Feb
28
Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office
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by Horatio Nelson Taft
THURSDAY 28
Another Spring day rather too warm in the sun. I took the shady side in coming from the office. One Hundred Guns were fired at noon on account of the result of the Peace Contn by order of Genl Scott. Interupted a good deal today in the office, could not do much business. Went on to 7th St after dinner and made some purchases, 2 looking glasses and Holly a Jacket. Have been at home this evening Drafting — a Condenser and also a Decalorator or water cooler for Steam Ships, plans of my own. I think I could get them Patented if I was out of the office, cannot while I am in. I have other improvements relating to the Steam Engine.
Feb
28
Our Baltimore Correspondence.
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February 28, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
BALTIMORE, February 24, 1861.
As if the cup of our country’s deep, and, I fear lasting degradation were not already filled to overflowing by the ill timed harangues of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, made during his recent trip from Springfield to Washington, his stealthy midnight transit through Maryland on Friday night last would seem to be sufficient for the purpose. Loud and deep are the anathemas hurled at him now by hundreds of our citizens, who, only a few days since, were willing, for the sake of the Union, to give his administration a trial, and this last most disgraceful act of his has made many converts to the ranks of Secessionists. Having been in the upper portion of Pennsylvania on business, your correspondent was induced to visit Harrisburg on Friday, for the double purpose of witnessing the celebration of the natal day of the Father of his Country, and to get a glimpse of the man who, while journeying to the Federal Metropolis for the purpose of taking the helm of the dismasted Ship of State, has had the audacity to proclaim, again and again, that the present was only an crisis, and that so far nobody has been hurt, and I now purpose furnishing, for the amusement of your readers, some of the scenes and incidents of the day, together with an account of LINCOLN’S inglorious flight from the Capital of Pennsylvania.
The morning of the 22d was a lively one in the town of Harrisburg. The Legislature had adjourned for the day, and from every prominent point was displayed flags, streamers and banners. Many of the latter, to the shame of Pennsylvanians be it said, coupled the name of WASHINGTON with that of LINCOLN. During the morning long trains of cars came in from every direction, filled with soldiers; and by the time that LINCOLN arrived at two in the afternoon, there must have been not less than thirty thousand troops drawn up in line to receive him. A procession was formed, over three miles long, and the man of Pennsylvania’s choice placed in a barouche and conducted all over the town, stopping at the Jones House, where the formal reception took place. Gov. CURTIN made a short address, very carefully prepared, and at which the most extreme Southerner could take no exception. Not so with the lion of the day. His reply was uttered in disjointed sentences, the greater portion of them having no meaning whatever, and the whole affair would have done no Read more
Feb
28
February 28, 1861; The New York Herald
We have at last got a clue to the way the terrible conspiracy to assassinate Mr. Lincoln was discovered, and it certainly reflects great credit upon our police system, which we shall not be slow to accord to it. It appears that there were two sets of most effective detectives sent to work upon the matter. Mr. Fouche Kennedy, of New York, at the instance of Thurlow Weed, despatched one band of detective police to Baltimore and the interlying points between that place and Harrisburg, to ferret out the plot, and the Vidoc of Baltimore had another band employed in the same localities, neither chief being aware of the action of the other. If there was anything to be discovered this efficient combination of detective talent would be sure to find it out; and so it did; for it happened that the detectives from New York came into frequent communion with the detectives from Baltimore, and, not knowing one another, each supposed that he had found a conspirator in the other party, and forthwith commenced to sympathize with the plot and draw his communicative companion out, for the purpose of getting information, as these wise officials are wont to do; and so between them they unravelled, if they did not concoct, the whole terrible conspiracy against the life of Mr. Lincoln, which compelled him to resort to the Scotch cap of the Camerons and the long military cloak, in which undignified disguise he reached the federal capital with a whole skin. No sooner did Mr. Fouche Kennedy succeed in discovering this awful conspiracy than he turned up at Washington, in search of an office, we suppose, to which he is undoubtedly entitled at the hands of Mr. Lincoln, whose life he so miraculously preserved.
But there are more plots against the new President which it may require detective sagacity to discover. Mr. Fouche Weed and Mr. Vidoc Greeley have each their detectives at work to discover a conspiracy against the political existence of Mr. Lincoln, and whichever of the two finds out the plot — whether it be got up by the ultras or the moderates of the party — will, of course, be entitled to the spoils.
Feb
28
The President.
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February 28, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
For many days past rumors have been rife to the effect that JEFFERSON DAVIS, president of the Confederate States, was on his way to Charleston. Yesterday morning some color was given to these reports by the publication of a despatch, dated Montgomery, announcing the departure of the President for this city.
It is scarcely necessary for us to say that, had such been the case, the readers of THE MERCURY would have been duly informed of the fact in our special despatches from Montgomery. President DAVIS is still in that city, and from present appearances is likely to remain there.
We may add that General DUNOVANT was yesterday summoned by telegraph to the seat of the Provisional Government, to confer with the Secretary of War.
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