The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

WARNINGS AGAINST iASSA.SSINATION. 781
PARTS, Sunday, March 12,1865.
MY DEAR SIR:-I wrote yon on Friday eve late, in hopes it would
reach yon at your hotel last evening. I have learned only an hour since,
that on Tuesday or Wednesday a steamer will be in waiting at Belisle,
or the inland of Oleron (the last named some forty miles off the mouth
of Bordeaux Erie) with war material and supplies for thle rams; most
of the stuff is from Hamburg, reshipped on board of an English steamer,
which has been chartered for the purpose. She is a Newca4tle steamner,
and said to be very swift. I must communicate at once with Walker
at Ferrol. Two desperate characters have just left here (on Wednesday, I believe, but not sure), one for the North and the other for
the South; one of tlem I know; lie has been loafing here for some time,
hard up. His name is Clark, the other Johnston, but to the best o(f my
knowledge I had never seen him, he having been here only a few d(ays.
Their object is the assassination of Slerman and Mr.,Seirtrd. ('lark is
* to join Sherman's army and accomplish his deed. The other oes (lirect
to Washington, and the first opportunity that offers kill Mr. Seward.
Their expenses are paid, and if successful in tlhe aceomplishlmenlt of their
murderous designs, are to receive five thou:sand dollars each. Here is a
pretty state of affairs; and I fear those are not thle only ones that they
intend wreaking their vengeance upon, and you must take immediate
steps to convey this to Mr. Seward and General Slierman, as I feel positive it is true, for the party that divulged to me lhas the greatest confidence in me, and would not have said such a tiling to me were it not
true. They think by getting rid of Mr. Seward that it will be utterly
impossible to get another as able to fill his place, as they say, so rabid
for the utter annihilation of tlhe Southern canue. And Sherman being
the only real General that we have gtot, if lie could be got rid of, the
task is an easy one, as there is no Yankee, to use thleir expression, to be
found that can fill his place. And only see the intgenuity of tlhe re'oels
here; they have caused to be circulated, andl it is quite current, that
General Sherman is dead. This is done for the sole cause to prepare the
public mind to receive his death beforehand, so as that they tmiay not be
taken by surprise. It is from beginning to end a deep laid pl)t, and the
Devil himself is no match for them. I have given you all tle fiacts so far
as I know, and at once, as I considered it my d(llty sf, to do:is soon as
possible, so that you may convey it to Washington with all dispatch. I
don't know this Johnston, or I would describe him, so that he miirht be
arrested at once, but to my knowledge I lave never seen him. Cooper
came last night, and to-day spent an hour with mne. On le:vincg he said
he would return and dine with me, but about an ho]ur since I learned
that lie went off in haste to Cherbourg. I don't know\ what's np
there, as I have hleard nothling from them; but there must 1ie something
in the wvind. Friday a courier was sent off as I stated to you, as I was
asked to go; but being ill I could not, and to-day,,Cooper leaving- so suddenly, looks suspicious. I can give you a full descriljtion tof Clark at
once if you wish it. I am better, and quite able to undertake the jour]ney to Bordeaux or Ferrol, but as yet keep myself in doors, so that I
may not be called on to go anywhere for them before I hear from you:
then I can excuse myself for a few days in the country, so as to be able
to get to Bordeaux. I hope you have received my note on Saturday eve,
and written me to-day. If I am to go to B- tthere is no time to be
lost. If you have not written me lbefore you receive this, send inc twenty
pounds, so that I may be prepared for any emergrency. Hoping that all
of the first of the note will be received at Washington in time to frustrate
the hellish designs, I am truly yours, 1B.