Baltimore Plot

Baltimore Plot

The Baltimore Plot refers to the events of late February, 1861, in which the Pinkerton Agency helped foil an alleged plot to assassinate President-Elect Abraham Lincoln en route to his inauguration. A key role was played by Allan Pinkerton who accompanied and advised the president-elect throughout the journey. Though the truth of the matter remains in doubt, clearly Lincoln and his advisors believed that there was a threat and took actions to avoid it.

November 6, 1860, Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, the first Republican to hold that office.

Shortly after his election, the South made it clear that secession was inevitable which greatly increased tension across the nation. President-elect Lincoln survived an assassination attempt in Baltimore, Maryland and on February 23, 1861 arrived secretly in disguise to Washington, DC. The South ridiculed Lincoln for this seemingly cowardly act, but the efforts at security may have been prudent.

Background

Allan Pinkerton, eponymous founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency was commissioned to provide security for the president-elect Lincoln on his journey from Philadelphia to Washington D.C., through Baltimore.

Maryland, a slave-state with strong Southern sympathies, was considered dangerous territory through which to travel for the controversial politician.

Plot, or un-necessary precautions

In Lincoln and His Administration, Chittenden argues that there was no need for any precautions, such as a disguise, because Lincoln “entered the sleeping –car at Philadelphia, and slept until awakened within a few miles of Washington.” [file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Application%20Data/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/eh1z8tvx.default/zotero/storage/11048/books.html] This account contradicts other first hand accounts which acknowledge the fact that Lincoln must have awakened in Baltimore and traveled the X miles from XXX pennXXX to XXCamdenXX in order to continue his journey south by train.

Legitimate or not – many sources report that, “There is little doubt that the feeling and sentiment of the people of Baltimore is very bitter against Mr. Lincoln, so much so, indeed, that violence might have been attempted.”

The Plot – According to Pinkerton, a captain of the roads reported that there was a plot to stab him… The alleged plan was to have several assassins, armed with knives, interspersed throughout the crowd that would gather to greet Lincoln at XXX station. When Lincoln emerged from the car, which he must do to change trains, at least one of the assassins would be able to get close enough to kill him.

Under the direction of Pinkerton. Snuck through town at night

Lincoln Apologists.

Quote - Source: Harpers article [1]

Cypriano Ferrandina

Date

President-elect Lincoln evaded possible assassins in Baltimore, and on February 23, 1861, arrived in disguise in Washington, D.C. – From wiki

Aftermath

Bad Press, ridicule Portrayed as undignified, cowardly, Secrecy