accompanied Mrs Lincoln to the theatre. Another lady and gentlemen were with them in the box. About half-past ten, during a pause in the performance, the assassin entered the box, the door of which was unguarded, hastily approached the President from behind and discharged a pistol at his head. The bullet entered the back of his head, and penetrated nearly through. The assassan then leaped from the box upon the stage, brandishing a large knife or dagger, and exclaiming, "Sic semper tyrannis," and escaped in the rear of the theatre. Immediately upon the discharge the President fell to the floor insensible, and continued in that state until twenty minutes past seven o'clock this morning, when he breathed his last. About the same time the murder was being committed at the theatre another assassin presented himself at the door of Mr. Seward's residence, gained admission by representing he had a prescription from Mr. Seward's physician, which he was directed to see administered, and hurried up to the third-storey chamber, where Mr. Seward was lying. He here discovered Mr. Frederick Seward, struck him over the head, inflicting several wounds, and fracturing the skull in two places, inflicting it is feared mortal wounds. He then rushed into the room where Mr. Seward was in bed, attended by a young daughter and a male nurse. The male attendant was stabbed through the lungs, and it is believed will die.

4

The assassin then struck Mr. Seward with

a knife or dagger twice in the throat and twice in the face, inflicting terrible wounds. By this time Major Seward, eldest son of the secretary, and another attendant reached the room, and rushed to the rescue of the secretary; they were also wounded in the conflict, and the assassin escaped. No artery or important blood-vessel was severed by any of the wounds inflicted upon him, but he was for a long time insensible from the loss of blood. Some hope of his possible recovery is entertained. Immediately upon the death of the President notice was given to Vice-President Johnson, who happened to be in the city, and upon whom the office of President now devolves. He will take the office and assume the functions of President to-day. The murderer of the President has been discovered, and evidence obtained that these horrible crimes were committed in execution of a conspiracy deliberately planned, and set on foot by rebels under pretence of avenging the South and aiding the rebel cause; but it is hoped that the immediate perpetrators will be caught. The feeling occasioned by these atrocious crimes is so great, sudden, and overwhelming, that I cannot at present do more than communicate them to you. At the earliest moment yesterday the President called a Cabinet meeting, at which General Grant was present. He was more cheerful and happy than I had ever seen him, rejoiced at the near prospect of firm and durable peace at home and abroad, manifested in marked degree the kindness

and humanity of his disposition, and the tender and forgiving spirit that so eminently distinguished him. Public notice had been given that he and General Grant would be present at the theatre, and the opportunity of adding the lieutenant-general to the number of victims to be murdered was no doubt seized for the fitting occasion of executing the plans that appear to have been in preparation for some weeks, but General Grant was compelled to be absent, and thus escaped the designs upon him. It is needless for me to say anything in regard of the influence which this atrocious murder of the President may exercise upon the affairs of this country; but I will only add that, horrible as are the atrocities that have been resorted to by the enemies of the country, they are not likely in any degree to impair the public spirit or postpone the complete final overthrow of the rebellion. In profound grief for the events which it has become my duty to communicate to you, I have the honour to be very respectfully your obedient servant,

EDWIN M. STANTON.

THE ASSASSINS.

A man named Sura, of Maryland, who suddenly disappeared from his home at Washington, has been suspected as being the assassin of Mr. Seward. The female members of his family were arrested on Monday night. While the officers were in the

house, a man disguised and covered with mud entered, and he was also seized. Upon being confronted by Major Seward and the domestics, he was recognised by them as the man who committed the assassination.

John Wilkes Booth, the murderer of Mr. Lincoln, is an actor, the son of Mr. Junius Brutus Booth, who failed in his attempt more than a quarter of a century ago to rival Edmund Kean as a tragedian. He has been one of the leading stars in the Northern States. where he has resided since the commencement of the war. His mother and the rest of the family reside at Baltimore. He has always been known to have "secesh" principles, but has hitherto borne an honourable character, and indeed was regarded everywhere as a young man of very superior abilities and bright prospects. It may be mentioned that his brother, Edwin Booth, is one of the leading actors in New York. Some four or five years ago he was in London, and was well received. The only charge ever heretofore brought against John W. Booth was that of dissipation. He is of a slight build, but wiry and strong, and of prepossessing countenance. His connection with the stage would make him perfectly familiar with Ford's theatre, at which he has sometimes performed. In order to understand the manner in which the murder may have been effected, it is necessary to explain that the private box spoken of is close to one end of the stage, and raised about six feet above it.

Hence the assassin could quite easily enter the box, and having delivered the shot, leap on to the stage and thus make his escape.

At a little after twelve o'clock on Friday last, John Wilkes Booth, by profession an actor, well and heretofore favourably known in our theatrical world, sauntered slowly into Ford's Theatre, in Frith-street, Washington, and engaged in desultory conversation with the box-keeper, with whom he was well acquainted. Incidently he learned that the President, with his family and one or two friends, would witness the play that evening from their box. After some further conversation, Booth withdrew and passed down the street to Pennsylvania-avenue, stopping at the Kirkwood House, at which hotel Andrew Johnson (now President) then occupied rooms. Entering the bar-room, he saluted one or two friends, and drank a glass of liquor; then, proceeding to the office, he called for a card and a sheet of note paper. Standing at the counter he wrote upon the card these words :"For Mr. Andrew Johnson: I don't wish to disturb you. Are you at home?" This message having been sent to Mr. Johnson, that gentleman returned word by the servant that he was very busily engaged, and could see no one at that time. Booth then passed around behind the counter, and seated himself at the clerk's desk-a familiarity frequently permitted on the part of persons intimately acquainted in and about our hotels. Here he