![ARNOLD, Samuel Bland, conspirator. Autograph manuscript, entitled "The Trial and Its Object". 8pp., 2o, bound with two clips at upper margin, upper right corner of first page with discoloration obscuring a few words, last leaf chipped at lower right corner affecting a few words. -- ARNOLD. Autograph Manuscript Signed ("Samuel Bland Arnold"), comprising HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION PLOT. N.d. [ca. 1904]. 115 pp., 2o, five sections, each bound with 3 paper clips through upper margin, slight browning. Together 123 pp.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/NYE/2000_NYE_08411_0020_000(014341).jpg?w=1)
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ARNOLD, Samuel Bland, conspirator. Autograph manuscript, entitled "The Trial and Its Object". 8pp., 2o, bound with two clips at upper margin, upper right corner of first page with discoloration obscuring a few words, last leaf chipped at lower right corner affecting a few words. -- ARNOLD. Autograph Manuscript Signed ("Samuel Bland Arnold"), comprising HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION PLOT. N.d. [ca. 1904]. 115 pp., 2o, five sections, each bound with 3 paper clips through upper margin, slight browning. Together 123 pp.
"SPELLBOUND BY THE UTTERANCES OF BOOTH": A CONSPIRATOR'S OWN ACCOUNT OF THE PLOT, HIS CONTACTS WITH JOHN WILKES BOOTH, AND THE LATER TRIAL: THE LONGEST KNOWN MANUSCRIPTS OF A CONSPIRATOR
An exceptionally long and revealing account by Arnold, recollecting the events leading up to the assassination and affording a remarkable first-hand portrait of Booth and his "monomania." Arnold's association with Booth began innocently enough: "...Upon a bright and beautiful morning during either the month of August or September 1864...I returned to the residence of my father...when from a younger brother who had also been a schoolmate of John W. Booth, learned that Booth desired me to call upon him at Barnum's Hotel at which place he (Booth) was stopping. I knew nothing of John Wilkes Booth's political sentiments nor had I the remotest idea of the result which would follow such visit...calling upon him as a companion and friend of my boyhood...Fatal that meeting for me, for through it the iron has entered deep into my soul..." He recounts meetings with Booth and Michael O'Laughlin as the conspiracy progressed, and dismisses speculation that the kidnap plot had a connection to the Confederate authorities: "It is my firm conviction and belief, that it was an enterprise created or at least had its origin in Booth's own visionary mind and totally disconnected with any person or persons on the service of the Confederate States Government. His object was to undertake the abduction of Abraham Lincoln, convey him to Richmond, turn him over...to be held, as a hostage..." Bland notes that, "often Abraham Lincoln, attended by no one outside of this carriage driver visited the hospital over the Anacostia Bridge. [Booth] proposed to intercept him on one of these visits, take him...place him on a boat, cross the Potomac to Virginia and thence convey him to Richmond..."
Arnold relates that he became increasingly uneasy and doubted the practicability of both the kidnap plot and the state of Booth's mind: "...Mr. Lincoln during the month of January paid several visits to the Theatre [this is confirmed], and had it been Booth's intention to assassinate him at this time, he could have accomplished it with the same ease then...During this month I was introduced to John H. Surratt whom Booth had enlisted in the plot...J. Wilkes Booth if I may be allowed to pass an opinion from his conversation at this period may be justly termed a monomaniac on the subject. Each day he was becoming impressed more with the idea of attempting the abduction from the Theatre and nothing could be advanced from our part, tending to establish its utter impracticability, had the slightest might or influence towards removing his erroneous impressions. It seemed to be his only thought by day...and his frequent dreams by night...Whilst pondering over all the circumstances connected thus far in the matter, & asking myself why it had not been attempted or abandoned, a messenger was sent to O'Laughlin and myself...who requested that we accompany him to Gotin's Saloon as Booth desired an interview with us - This was on the evening of 15 March 1865 - We accompanied the young man to Gotins, were ushered into the private parlor which Booth had acquired for the evening and found him surrounded by a group of men whom were total strangers and unknown with the exception of John H. Surratt - We were formally introduced, these constituting each and every person or persons connected in the plot... viz. Jno. Wilkes Booth, John H. Surratt, Lewis Payne, George A. Atzerodt, David E. Herold, Michael O'Laughlin, & myself. This was the only assembly or meeting of the parties held...in connection with the abduction of Abraham Lincoln President of the United States...In the theory advanced by me, its utter impracticability, I found I stood not alone, yet none seemed to consider it in its proper light, they lying completely spellbound by the utterances of Booth, not looking at the consequences to follow. After arguing to great length...it culminated in a very exciting and violent controversy between Booth and myself...where Booth in his rashness and madness, finding he could not swerve me from my purpose...threatened to shoot me or words to that effect..."
"On the 17th March O'Laughlin and myself were on our way to dinner. Booth accompanied by Herold accosted us on the street - Booth stated he wished us to be in readiness at 2 o'clock or thereabouts as he was informed the President intended visiting a soldier's hospital or Encampment at the Terminus of Seventh Street and he thought the opportunity would present favorable means of carrying out the abduction...Booth then left to make inquiries concerning the President and found he was not there. He returned immediately seemingly very much excited cautioning care and discretion in our movements and in a hurried manner advising separation from one another and to return by different routes to the City...The interval allotted for carrying out the scheme having expired. O'Laughlin & myself severed our connection with Booth and his confederates...Herold [was] sent to...Surrattville with Booth's horse and buggy, conveying the box containing the two carbines and other minor articles...To prevent coming in contact with John Wilkes Booth again or to have any further communication with him I returned again to the country informing my parents at the same time that any connection with Booth had been severed...During my association with Booth the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln was never mentioned..."
The testimony at the trial, with public sentiment in agreement, was that while Arnold was involved in the plot to kidnap Lincoln, he was not a conspirator to commit the murder. He was pardoned by Johnson after 4 years, along with Mudd, Spangler and O'Laughlin. Both these remarkable accounts were published by Charles Heartman as Defense and Prison Experiences of a Lincoln Conspirator Statements and Autobiographical Notes by Samuel Bland Arnold, 1943. (2)
"SPELLBOUND BY THE UTTERANCES OF BOOTH": A CONSPIRATOR'S OWN ACCOUNT OF THE PLOT, HIS CONTACTS WITH JOHN WILKES BOOTH, AND THE LATER TRIAL: THE LONGEST KNOWN MANUSCRIPTS OF A CONSPIRATOR
An exceptionally long and revealing account by Arnold, recollecting the events leading up to the assassination and affording a remarkable first-hand portrait of Booth and his "monomania." Arnold's association with Booth began innocently enough: "...Upon a bright and beautiful morning during either the month of August or September 1864...I returned to the residence of my father...when from a younger brother who had also been a schoolmate of John W. Booth, learned that Booth desired me to call upon him at Barnum's Hotel at which place he (Booth) was stopping. I knew nothing of John Wilkes Booth's political sentiments nor had I the remotest idea of the result which would follow such visit...calling upon him as a companion and friend of my boyhood...Fatal that meeting for me, for through it the iron has entered deep into my soul..." He recounts meetings with Booth and Michael O'Laughlin as the conspiracy progressed, and dismisses speculation that the kidnap plot had a connection to the Confederate authorities: "It is my firm conviction and belief, that it was an enterprise created or at least had its origin in Booth's own visionary mind and totally disconnected with any person or persons on the service of the Confederate States Government. His object was to undertake the abduction of Abraham Lincoln, convey him to Richmond, turn him over...to be held, as a hostage..." Bland notes that, "often Abraham Lincoln, attended by no one outside of this carriage driver visited the hospital over the Anacostia Bridge. [Booth] proposed to intercept him on one of these visits, take him...place him on a boat, cross the Potomac to Virginia and thence convey him to Richmond..."
Arnold relates that he became increasingly uneasy and doubted the practicability of both the kidnap plot and the state of Booth's mind: "...Mr. Lincoln during the month of January paid several visits to the Theatre [this is confirmed], and had it been Booth's intention to assassinate him at this time, he could have accomplished it with the same ease then...During this month I was introduced to John H. Surratt whom Booth had enlisted in the plot...J. Wilkes Booth if I may be allowed to pass an opinion from his conversation at this period may be justly termed a monomaniac on the subject. Each day he was becoming impressed more with the idea of attempting the abduction from the Theatre and nothing could be advanced from our part, tending to establish its utter impracticability, had the slightest might or influence towards removing his erroneous impressions. It seemed to be his only thought by day...and his frequent dreams by night...Whilst pondering over all the circumstances connected thus far in the matter, & asking myself why it had not been attempted or abandoned, a messenger was sent to O'Laughlin and myself...who requested that we accompany him to Gotin's Saloon as Booth desired an interview with us - This was on the evening of 15 March 1865 - We accompanied the young man to Gotins, were ushered into the private parlor which Booth had acquired for the evening and found him surrounded by a group of men whom were total strangers and unknown with the exception of John H. Surratt - We were formally introduced, these constituting each and every person or persons connected in the plot... viz. Jno. Wilkes Booth, John H. Surratt, Lewis Payne, George A. Atzerodt, David E. Herold, Michael O'Laughlin, & myself. This was the only assembly or meeting of the parties held...in connection with the abduction of Abraham Lincoln President of the United States...In the theory advanced by me, its utter impracticability, I found I stood not alone, yet none seemed to consider it in its proper light, they lying completely spellbound by the utterances of Booth, not looking at the consequences to follow. After arguing to great length...it culminated in a very exciting and violent controversy between Booth and myself...where Booth in his rashness and madness, finding he could not swerve me from my purpose...threatened to shoot me or words to that effect..."
"On the 17th March O'Laughlin and myself were on our way to dinner. Booth accompanied by Herold accosted us on the street - Booth stated he wished us to be in readiness at 2 o'clock or thereabouts as he was informed the President intended visiting a soldier's hospital or Encampment at the Terminus of Seventh Street and he thought the opportunity would present favorable means of carrying out the abduction...Booth then left to make inquiries concerning the President and found he was not there. He returned immediately seemingly very much excited cautioning care and discretion in our movements and in a hurried manner advising separation from one another and to return by different routes to the City...The interval allotted for carrying out the scheme having expired. O'Laughlin & myself severed our connection with Booth and his confederates...Herold [was] sent to...Surrattville with Booth's horse and buggy, conveying the box containing the two carbines and other minor articles...To prevent coming in contact with John Wilkes Booth again or to have any further communication with him I returned again to the country informing my parents at the same time that any connection with Booth had been severed...During my association with Booth the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln was never mentioned..."
The testimony at the trial, with public sentiment in agreement, was that while Arnold was involved in the plot to kidnap Lincoln, he was not a conspirator to commit the murder. He was pardoned by Johnson after 4 years, along with Mudd, Spangler and O'Laughlin. Both these remarkable accounts were published by Charles Heartman as Defense and Prison Experiences of a Lincoln Conspirator Statements and Autobiographical Notes by Samuel Bland Arnold, 1943. (2)