A rebel emissary, the notorious Jacob Thompson, was reported by the
secret service as slipping through the North and trying to get passage
to Europe on the Allan steamship out of Portland, Maine, or Canada.
Brevet-general Dana, confidential officer to the War Department and the
President, inquired if the fugitive was to be detained at Portland,
where the provost-marshal thought he could capture him. Secretary
Stanton wanted him apprehended.
"H'm," said Lincoln, who was being shaved, "I don't know as I have any
apprehension in that quarter. When you have an elephant on your hands,
and he wants to run away, better let him run!"
(NOTE.--The "Unbeknownst" story has been applied to this tolerated
"escape.")
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