nry, and leaving him and
his wife, Seraine, with what of our family was now left, I telegraphed
to the President:

"'Stay indoors; important; am coming!

"(Signed)Daniel.'

"'I at once left for Washington, feeling that time was important.
The desperation of these men was such that they would undertake an
enterprise of any kind, and the condition of the Confederacy such that
nothing less than some heroic remedy would avail anything.

"When I arrived at Washington it was early in the morning. I directed
my steps toward the Executive Mansion. On arriving at the door the usher
recognized me, but said that the President had not been to breakfast.

"'I said: 'I do not wish to disturb him, but it is very important that I
see him before a crowd comes in. I will remain here.'

"He stepped in and very soon returned, and at once showed me to the
President's office up-stairs. He was waiting for me, and as I entered he
came forward with both hands extended, and said, 'My dear friend Lyon,
how are you?'

"I answered him as to my health in a sad tone. He spoke of my great
afflictions in the most tender manner, and inquired as to the telegram.

"'I said:'Mr. President, this paper,' handing him Henry's report,'will
explain it.'

"He said:'This is a long paper--as long as a President's message,' and
laughed, saying, 'I expect you have been writing one for me?'

"'I replied that it was an important message for a President. At this he
laughed, and said:

"'That is quite good, and is a very wise distinction; but,' said he, 'we
will not read it now. When we get our breakfast, that will do, will it
not?'

"I replied: 'Yes, perhaps it will.'

"He would have me take breakfast with him. His family only were present,
and we all conversed freely, but principally about the late election
and our success in the West against Head, and the prospects of Silent
against Laws. He was feeling very happy and confident of final victory.
He told me about having just returned with the Secretary of State from
Hampton Roads, where they had met the Vice-President of the Southern
Confederacy and others on a peace mission; 'but,' said he, 'it was
the same kind of peace that the Copperheads have been preaching, under
instructions from Richmond and the rebel agents in Canada, for three
years.'

"After breakfast we returned to his office. He instructed his usher that
he could see no one for the present. Being seated, he drew the paper
that I had give