Pinkerton, Allan, 1819-1884. History and evidence of the passage of Abraham Lincoln from Harrisburg, Pa. to Washington, D. C. on the 22d and 23d of February, 1861
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00267.276 Author/Creator: Pinkerton, Allan, 1819-1884. Place Written: New York, New York Type: Pamphlet Date: 1906 Pagination: 42 p. ; 24.5 x 16.5 cm. Order a Copy
Documents the attempted assassination of then President-elect Abraham Lincoln on his way to his inauguration. Written in response to a published letter by John A. Kennedy, who claimed, along with his detective force, the responsibility of discovering the plot and stated "I know nothing of any connection of Mr. Pinkerton with the matter." Pinkerton explains this with "In this respect, Mr. Kennedy spoke the truth: he did not know of my connection with the passage of Mr. Lincoln, nor was it my intention that he should know of it. Secrecy is the one thing most neccessary to the success of the detective, and when a secret is to be kept, the fewer who know of it the better." Includes statements from Lincoln and letters to Pinkerton from officials concerning the event. Black cover with gold stamped lettering on the front cover. Front cover includes note "Compliments of Wm. A. Pinkerton/Robt. A. Pinkerton" in the lower left corner. Sewn binding.
Pinkerton was a detective and spy, best known for creating the Pinkerton Agency, the first detective agency. Kennedy was the Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police of New York City. Felton was the Superintendent of the Fitchburg Railroad and President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. Following the Civil War, he was also President of the Pennsylvania Steel Company. Webster was recognized as Allan Pinkerton's most famous active agent in the Civil War. Judd was a Republican Representative of Illinois who served from 1867-1870 and a friend of Lincoln.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.