While the murder of Abraham Lincoln was in progress at Ford’s Theatre, another scene in the bloody tragedy was being enacted at the house of the Secretary of State. Mr. Seward, suffering from severe injuries, received shortly before by an accidental fall from his carriage, was lying in his bed, sick, suffering, and helpless. Within the invalid’s chamber all was sadness and gloom; for Mr. Seward’s life was the subject of much uncertainty and anxious fear. About nine o’clock in the evening the chamber of the Secretary was forcibly entered by a tall, muscular man, whose face could hardly be distinguished beneath the broad and drooping brim of his slouched hat, which was drawn over his brow. This man was Lewis Payne,—who had been procured to murder the Secretary of State, and who had effected his entrance into the house by stratagem, and had forced his way from the street-door to Mr. Seward’s chamber, pretending to be a messenger from the physician with medicine for Mr. Seward. Payne had pushed past the servant who had admitted him, and met with no opposition till he reached the Secretary’s door. There he was confronted by Mr. Frederick Seward, with whom he had a moment’s parley regarding his message to Mr. Seward; but finding that he could effect nothing in that way he struck the Secretary’s son on the head with a pistol, felling him to the floor, and crushing in his skull. Upon the instant he burst into the Secretary’s room, rushed up to the bed, and attacked the helpless, sick old man with a knife. Mr. Seward succeeded in rolling out on the floor; but not until he had received many and severe cuts about the throat and face.
All this had passed in so brief a time that not even a cry for help had been raised. The terrified nurses raised screams of distress about half a minute after the assassin’s entrance to the room, and a soldier, followed by Major Seward, rushed into the apartment. The soldier at once leaped upon the assassin, and tried to pull him backward; but Payne turned upon him, and stabbing him in the side, contrived to break away. He also struck and wounded Major Seward, and one of the attendants, who precipitated themselves upon him, and in the dreadful confusion following he succeeded in making his escape from the house.
THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
On Saturday morning, April 15th, immediately after the death of President Lincoln, the following communication was addressed to Hon. Andrew Johnson, hitherto Vice-President of the Republic:
Washington City, April 15, 1865.
“Sir:—Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, was shot by an assassin last evening at Ford’s Theatre, in this city, and died at the hour of twenty-two minutes after seven o’clock. About the same time at which the President was shot, an assassin entered the sick chamber of the Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State, and stabbed him in several places in the throat, neck and face, severely if not mortally wounding him.—Other members of the Secretary’s family were also dangerously wounded by the assassin while making his escape. By the death of President Lincoln the office of President has devolved under the Constitution upon you. The emergency of the Government demands that you should immediately qualify according to the requirements of the Constitution, and enter upon the duties of President of the United States. If you will please make known your pleasure, such arrangements as you deem proper will be made.
Your obedient servants,
Hugh McCulloch, Secretary of the Treasury.
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.