Thurlow Weed, the veteran journalist and politician, once related how,
when he was opposing the claims of Montgomery Blair, who aspired to a
Cabinet appointment, that Mr. Lincoln inquired of Mr. Weed whom he would
recommend, “Henry Winter Davis,” was the response.
“David Davis, I see, has been posting you up on this question,” retorted
Lincoln. “He has Davis on the brain. I think Maryland must be a good
State to move from.”
The President then told a story of a witness in court in a neighboring
county, who, on being asked his age, replied, “Sixty.” Being satisfied
he was much older the question was repeated, and on receiving the same
answer the court admonished the witness, saying, “The court knows you to
be much older than sixty.”
“Oh, I understand now,” was the rejoinder, “you’re thinking of those ten
years I spent on the eastern share of Maryland; that was so much time
lost, and didn’t count.”
Blair was made Postmaster-General.