November 1864 Classified Ad by JWB

[L Verge]

I believe that the "official" date of Booth meeting Surratt is December 23, 1864, when he met Dr. Mudd by appointment in DC and asked to be introduced to John Surratt. While he and Mudd were heading to the boardinghouse, they encountered Surratt and Weichmann on Seventh Street. The group then returned to Booth's room at the National where the conversations testified to by Weichmann took place.

One other thought: Could we assume that perhaps this notice in the paper is in code and has nothing to do with actually seeking a house? Lots of undercover work was done via coded ads and notices in papers across the east coast during the CW.