THE SECRET HISTORY OF MRS. LINCOLN'S WARDROBE IN NEW YORK
In March, 1867, Mrs. Lincoln wrote to me from Chicago that, as her
income was insufficient to meet her expenses, she would be obliged to
give up her house in the city, and return to boarding. She said that she
had struggled long enough to keep up appearances, and that the mask must
be thrown aside. "I have not the means," she wrote, "to meet the
expenses of even a first-class boarding-house, and must sell out and
secure cheap rooms at some place in the country. It will not be
startling news to you, my dear Lizzie, to learn that I must sell a
portion of my wardrobe to add to my resources, so as to enable me to
live decently, for you remember what I told you in Washington, as well
as what you understood before you left me here in Chicago. I cannot live
on $1,700 a year, and as I have many costly things which I shall never
wear, I might as well turn them into money, and thus add to my income,
and make my circumstances easier. It is humiliating to be placed in such
a position, but, as I am in the position, I must extricate myself as
best I can. Now, Lizzie, I want to ask a favor of you. It is imperative
that I should do something for my relief, and I want you to meet me in
New York, between the 30th of August and the 5th of September next, to
assist me in disposing of a portion of my wardrobe."
I knew that Mrs. Lincoln's income was small, and also knew that she had
many valuable dresses, which could be of no value to her, packed away in
boxes and trunks. I was confident that she would never wear the dresses
again, and thought that, since her need was urgent, it would be well
enough to dispose of them quietly, and believed that New York was the
best place to transact a delicate business of the kind. She was the wife
of Abraham Lincoln, the man who had done so much for my race, and I
could refuse to do nothing for her, calculated to advance her interests.
I consented to render Mrs. Lincoln all the assistance in my power, and
many letters passed between us in regard to the best way to proceed. It
was finally arranged that I should meet her in New York about the middle
of September. While thinking over this question, I remembered an
incident of the White House. When we were packing up to leave Washington
for Chicago, she said to me, one morning:
"Lizzie, I may see the day when I shall be obliged to sell a portion of
my wardrobe. If Congress does not do something for me, then my dresses
some day may have to go to bring food into my mouth, and the mouths of
my children."
I also remembered of Mrs. L. having said to me at different times, in
the years of 1863 and '4, that her expensive dresses might prove of
great assistance to her some day.
"In what way, Mrs. Lincoln? I do not understand," I ejaculated, the
first time she made the remark to me.
"Very simple to understand. Mr. Lincoln is so generous that he will not
save anything from his salary, and I expect that we will leave the White
House poorer than when we came into it; and should such be the case, I
will have no further need for an expensive wardrobe, and it will be
policy to sell it off."
I thought at the time that Mrs. Lincoln was borrowing trouble from the
future, and little dreamed that the event which she so dimly
foreshadowed would ever come to pass.
I closed my business about the 10th of September, and made every
arrangement to leave Washington on the mission proposed. On the 15th of
September I received a letter from Mrs. Lincoln, postmarked Chicago,
saying that she should leave the city so as to reach New York on the
night of the 17th, and directing me to precede her to the metropolis,
and secure rooms for her at the St. Denis Hotel in the name of Mrs.
Clarke, as her visit was to be _incog._ The contents of the letter were
startling to me. I had never heard of the St. Denis, and therefore
presumed that it could not be a first-class house. And I could not
understand why Mrs. Lincoln should travel, without protection, under an
assumed name. I knew that it would be impossible for me to engage rooms
at a strange hotel for a person whom the proprietors knew nothing about.
I could not write to Mrs. Lincoln, since she would be on the road to New
York before a letter could possibly reach Chicago. I could not telegraph
her, for the business was of too delicate a character to be trusted to
the wires that would whisper the secret to every curious operator along
the line. In my embarrassment, I caught at a slender thread of hope, and
tried to derive consolation from it. I knew Mrs. Lincoln to be
indecisive about some things, and I hoped that she might change her mind
in regard to the strange programme proposed, and at the last moment
despatch me to this effect. The 16th, and then the 17th of September
passed, and no despatch reached me, so on the 18th I made all haste to
take the train for New York. After an anxious ride, I reached the city
in the evening, and when I stood alone in the streets of the great
metropolis, my heart sank within me. I was in an embarrassing situation,
and scarcely knew how to act. I did not know where the St. Denis Hotel
was, and was not certain that I should find Mrs. Lincoln there after I
should go to it. I walked up to Broadway, and got into a stage going up
town, with the intention of keeping a close look-out for the hotel in
question. A kind-looking gentleman occupied the seat next to me, and I
ventured to inquire of him:
"If you please, sir, can you tell me where the St. Denis Hotel is?"
"Yes; we ride past it in the stage. I will point it out to you when we
come to it."
"Thank you, sir."
The stage rattled up the street, and after a while the gentleman looked
out of the window and said:
"This is the St. Denis. Do you wish to get out here?"
"Thank you. Yes, sir."
He pulled the strap, and the next minute I was standing on the pavement.
I pulled a bell at the ladies' entrance to the hotel, and a boy coming
to the door, I asked:
"Is a lady by the name of Mrs. Clarke stopping here? She came last
night, I believe."
"I do not know. I will ask at the office;" and I was left alone.
The boy came back and said:
"Yes, Mrs. Clarke is here. Do you want to see her?"
"Yes."
"Well, just walk round there. She is down here now."
I did not know where "round there" exactly was, but I concluded to go
forward.
I stopped, however, thinking that the lady might be in the parlor with
company; and pulling out a card, asked the boy to take it to her. She
heard me talking, and came into the hall to see herself.
"My dear Lizzie, I am so glad to see you," she exclaimed, coming forward
and giving me her hand. "I have just received your note"--I had written
her that I should join her on the 18th--"and have been trying to get a
room for you. Your note has been here all day, but it was never
delivered until to-night. Come in here, until I find out about your
room;" and she led me into the office.
The clerk, like all modern hotel clerks, was exquisitely arrayed, highly
perfumed, and too self-important to be obliging, or even courteous.
"This is the woman I told you about. I want a good room for her," Mrs.
Lincoln said to the clerk.
"We have no room for her, madam," was the pointed rejoinder.
"But she must have a room. She is a friend of mine, and I want a room
for her adjoining mine."
"We have no room for her on your floor."
"That is strange, sir. I tell you that she is a friend of mine, and I am
sure you could not give a room to a more worthy person."
"Friend of yours, or not, I tell you we have no room for her on your
floor. I can find a place for her on the fifth floor."
"That, sir, I presume, will be a vast improvement on my room. Well, if
she goes to the fifth floor, I shall go too, sir. What is good enough
for her is good enough for me."
"Very well, madam. Shall I give you adjoining rooms, and send your
baggage up?"
"Yes, and have it done in a hurry. Let the boy show us up. Come,
Elizabeth," and Mrs. L. turned from the clerk with a haughty glance, and
we commenced climbing the stairs. I thought we should never reach the
top; and when we did reach the fifth story, what accommodations! Little
three-cornered rooms, scantily furnished. I never expected to see the
widow of President Lincoln in such dingy, humble quarters.
"How provoking!" Mrs. Lincoln exclaimed, sitting down on a chair when we
had reached the top, and panting from the effects of the climbing. "I
declare, I never saw such unaccommodating people. Just to think of them
sticking us away up here in the attic. I will give them a regular going
over in the morning."
"But you forget. They do not know you. Mrs. Lincoln would be treated
differently from Mrs. Clarke."
"True, I do forget. Well, I suppose I shall have to put up with the
annoyances. Why did you not come to me yesterday, Lizzie? I was almost
crazy when I reached here last night, and found you had not arrived. I
sat down and wrote you a note--I felt so badly--imploring you to come to
me immediately."
This note was afterwards sent to me from Washington. It reads as
follows:
ST. DENIS HOTEL, BROADWAY, N.Y.
"Wednesday, Sept. 17th.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I arrived _here_ last evening in utter
despair _at not_ finding you. I am frightened to death, being
here alone. Come, I pray you, by _next_ train. Inquire for
"MRS. CLARKE,
"Room 94, 5th or 6th Story.
* * * * *
"House so crowded could not get another spot. I wrote you
especially to meet me here last evening; it makes me wild to
think of being here alone. Come by _next train_, without
fail.
"Your friend,
"MRS. LINCOLN.
* * * * *
"I am booked Mrs. Clarke; inquire for _no other person_.
_Come, come, come._ I will pay your expenses when you arrive
here. I shall not leave here or change my room until you
come.
"Your friend, M. L.
"Do not leave this house without seeing me.
"_Come!_"
I transcribe the letter literally.
In reply to Mrs. Lincoln's last question, I explained what has already
been explained to the reader, that I was in hope she would change her
mind, and knew that it would be impossible to secure the rooms requested
for a person unknown to the proprietors or attaches of the hotel.
The explanation seemed to satisfy her. Turning to me suddenly, she
exclaimed:
"You have not had your dinner, Lizzie, and must be hungry. I nearly
forgot about it in the joy of seeing you. You must go down to the table
right away."
She pulled the bell-rope, and a servant appearing, she ordered him to
give me my dinner. I followed him down-stairs, and he led me into the
dining-hall, and seated me at a table in one corner of the room. I was
giving my order, when the steward came forward and gruffly said:
"You are in the wrong room."
"I was brought here by the waiter," I replied.
"It makes no difference; I will find you another place where you can eat
your dinner."
I got up from the table and followed him, and when outside of the door,
said to him:
"It is very strange that you should permit me to be seated at the table
in the dining-room only for the sake of ordering me to leave it the next
moment."
"Are you not Mrs. Clarke's servant?" was his abrupt question.
"I am with Mrs. Clarke."
"It is all the same; servants are not allowed to eat in the large
dining-room. Here, this way; you must take your dinner in the servants'
hall."
Hungry and humiliated as I was, I was willing to follow to any place to
get my dinner, for I had been riding all day, and had not tasted a
mouthful since early morning.
On reaching the servants' hall we found the door of the room locked. The
waiter left me standing in the passage while he went to inform the clerk
of the fact.
In a few minutes the obsequious clerk came blustering down the hall:
"Did you come out of the street, or from Mrs. Clarke's room?"
"From Mrs. Clarke's room," I meekly answered. My gentle words seemed to
quiet him, and then he explained:
"It is after the regular hour for dinner. The room is locked up, and
Annie has gone out with the key."
My pride would not let me stand longer in the hall.
"Very well," I remarked, as I began climbing the stairs, "I will tell
Mrs. Clarke that I cannot get any dinner."
He looked after me, with a scowl on his face:
"You need not put on airs! I understand the whole thing."
I said nothing, but continued to climb the stairs, thinking to myself:
"Well, if you understand the whole thing, it is strange that you should
put the widow of ex-President Abraham Lincoln in a three-cornered room
in the attic of this miserable hotel."
When I reached Mrs. Lincoln's rooms, tears of humiliation and vexation
were in my eyes.
"What is the matter, Lizzie?" she asked.
"I cannot get any dinner."
"Cannot get any dinner! What do you mean?"
I then told her of all that had transpired below.
"The insolent, overbearing people!" she fiercely exclaimed. "Never mind,
Lizzie, you shall have your dinner. Put on your bonnet and shawl."
"What for?"
"What for! Why, we will go out of the hotel, and get you something to
eat where they know how to behave decently;" and Mrs. Lincoln already
was tying the strings of her bonnet before the glass.
Her impulsiveness alarmed me.
"Surely, Mrs. Lincoln, you do not intend to go out on the street
to-night?"
"Yes I do. Do you suppose I am going to have you starve, when we can
find something to eat on every corner?"
"But you forget. You are here as Mrs. Clarke and not as Mrs. Lincoln.
You came alone, and the people already suspect that everything is not
right. If you go outside of the hotel to-night, they will accept the
fact as evidence against you."
"Nonsense; what do you suppose I care for what these low-bred people
think? Put on your things."
"No, Mrs. Lincoln, I shall not go outside of the hotel to-night, for I
realize your situation, if you do not. Mrs. Lincoln has no reason to
care what these people may say about her as Mrs. Lincoln, but she should
be prudent, and give them no opportunity to say anything about her as
Mrs. Clarke."
It was with difficulty I could convince her that she should act with
caution. She was so frank and impulsive that she never once thought that
her actions might be misconstrued. It did not occur to her that she
might order dinner to be served in my room, so I went to bed without a
mouthful to eat.
The next morning Mrs. Lincoln knocked at my door before six o'clock:
"Come, Elizabeth, get up, I know you must be hungry. Dress yourself
quickly and we will go out and get some breakfast. I was unable to sleep
last night for thinking of you being forced to go to bed without
anything to eat."
I dressed myself as quickly as I could, and together we went out and
took breakfast, at a restaurant on Broadway, some place between 609 and
the St. Denis Hotel. I do not give the number, as I prefer leaving it to
conjecture. Of one thing I am certain--the proprietor of the restaurant
little dreamed who one of his guests was that morning.
After breakfast we walked up Broadway, and entering Union Square Park,
took a seat on one of the benches under the trees, watched the children
at play, and talked over the situation. Mrs. Lincoln told me: "Lizzie,
yesterday morning I called for the _Herald_ at the breakfast table, and
on looking over the list of diamond brokers advertised, I selected the
firm of W. H. Brady & Co., 609 Broadway. After breakfast I walked down
to the house, and tried to sell them a lot of jewelry. I gave my name as
Mrs. Clarke. I first saw Mr. Judd, a member of the firm, a very pleasant
gentleman. We were unable to agree about the price. He went back into
the office, where a stout gentleman was seated at the desk, but I could
not hear what he said. [I know now what was said, and so shall the
reader, in parentheses. Mr. Brady has since told me that he remarked to
Mr. Judd that the woman must be crazy to ask such outrageous prices,
and to get rid of her as soon as possible.] Soon after Mr. Judd came
back to the counter, another gentleman, Mr. Keyes, as I have since
learned, a silent partner in the house, entered the store. He came to
the counter, and in looking over my jewelry discovered my name inside of
one of the rings. I had forgotten the ring, and when I saw him looking
at the name so earnestly, I snatched the bauble from him and put it into
my pocket. I hastily gathered up my jewelry, and started out. They asked
for my address, and I left my card, Mrs. Clarke, at the St. Denis Hotel.
They are to call to see me this forenoon, when I shall enter into
negotiations with them."
Scarcely had we returned to the hotel when Mr. Keyes called, and Mrs.
Clarke disclosed to him that she was Mrs. Lincoln. He was much elated to
find his surmise correct. Mrs. L. exhibited to him a large number of
shawls, dresses, and fine laces, and told him that she was compelled to
sell them in order to live. He was an earnest Republican, was much
affected by her story, and denounced the ingratitude of the government
in the severest terms. She complained to him of the treatment she had
received at the St. Denis, and he advised her to move to another hotel
forthwith. She readily consented, and as she wanted to be in an
out-of-the-way place where she would not be recognized by any of her old
friends, he recommended the Earle Hotel in Canal street.
On the way down to the hotel that morning she acceded to a suggestion
made by me, and supported by Mr. Keyes, that she confide in the
landlord, and give him her name without registering, so as to ensure the
proper respect. Unfortunately, the Earle Hotel was full, and we had to
select another place. We drove to the Union Place Hotel, where we
secured rooms for Mrs. Clarke, Mrs. Lincoln changing her mind, deeming
it would not be prudent to disclose her real name to any one. After we
had become settled in our new quarters, Messrs. Keyes and Brady called
frequently on Mrs. Lincoln, and held long conferences with her. They
advised her to pursue the course she did, and were sanguine of success.
Mrs. Lincoln was very anxious to dispose of her things, and return to
Chicago as quickly and quietly as possible; but they presented the case
in a different light, and, I regret to say, she was guided by their
counsel. "Pooh," said Mr. Brady, "place your affairs in our hands, and
we will raise you at least $100,000 in a few weeks. The people will not
permit the widow of Abraham Lincoln to suffer; they will come to her
rescue when they know she is in want."
The argument seemed plausible, and Mrs. Lincoln quietly acceded to the
proposals of Keyes and Brady.
We remained quietly at the Union Place Hotel for a few days. On Sunday
Mrs. Lincoln accepted the use of a private carriage, and accompanied by
me, she drove out to Central Park. We did not enjoy the ride much, as
the carriage was a close one, and we could not throw open the window for
fear of being recognized by some one of the many thousands in the Park.
Mrs. Lincoln wore a heavy veil so as to more effectually conceal her
face. We came near being run into, and we had a spasm of alarm, for an
accident would have exposed us to public gaze, and of course the
masquerade would have been at an end. On Tuesday I hunted up a number of
dealers in secondhand clothing, and had them call at the hotel by
appointment. Mrs. Lincoln soon discovered that they were hard people to
drive a bargain with, so on Thursday we got into a close carriage,
taking a bundle of dresses and shawls with us, and drove to a number of
stores on Seventh Avenue, where an attempt was made to dispose of a
portion of the wardrobe. The dealers wanted the goods for little or
nothing, and we found it a hard matter to drive a bargain with them.
Mrs. Lincoln met the dealers squarely, but all of her tact and
shrewdness failed to accomplish much. I do not care to dwell upon this
portion of my story. Let it answer to say, that we returned to the hotel
more disgusted than ever with the business in which we were engaged.
There was much curiosity at the hotel in relation to us, as our
movements were watched, and we were regarded with suspicion. Our trunks
in the main hall below were examined daily, and curiosity was more
keenly excited when the argus-eyed reporters for the press traced Mrs.
Lincoln's name on the cover of one of her trunks. The letters had been
rubbed out, but the faint outlines remained, and these outlines only
served to stimulate curiosity. Messrs. Keyes and Brady called often, and
they made Mrs. Lincoln believe that, if she would write certain letters
for them to show to prominent politicians, they could raise a large sum
of money for her. They argued that the Republican party would never
permit it to be said that the wife of Abraham Lincoln was in want; that
the leaders of the party would make heavy advances rather than have it
published to the world that Mrs. Lincoln's poverty compelled her to sell
her wardrobe. Mrs. L.'s wants were urgent, as she had to borrow $600
from Keyes and Brady, and she was willing to adopt any scheme which
promised to place a good bank account to her credit. At different times
in her room at the Union Place Hotel she wrote the following letters:
CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 1867.
"MR. BRADY, _Commission Broker, No. 609 Broadway,
New York_:
"I have this day sent to you personal property, which I am
compelled to part with, and which you will find of
considerable value. The articles consist of four camels' hair
shawls, one lace dress and shawl, a parasol cover, a diamond
ring, two dress patterns, some furs, etc.
"Please have them appraised, and confer by letter with me.
Very respectfully,
"MRS. LINCOLN."
"CHICAGO, ----.
"MR BRADY _No 609 Broadway, N.Y. City_
"**** DEAR SIR:--The articles I am sending you to dispose of
were gifts of dear friends, which only urgent necessity
compels me to part with, and I am especially anxious that
they shall not be sacrificed.
"The circumstances are peculiar, and painfully embarrassing;
therefore I hope you will endeavor to realize as much as
possible for them. Hoping to hear from you, I remain, very
respectfully,
"MRS. A. LINCOLN."
"Sept. 25, 1867.
"W.H. BRADY, ESQ.:--My great, great sorrow and loss have made
me painfully sensitive, but as my feelings and pecuniary
comforts were never regarded or even recognized in the midst
of my overwhelming bereavement--_now_ that I am pressed in a
most startling manner for means of subsistence, I do not know
why I should shrink from an opportunity of improving my
trying position.
"Being assured that all you do will be appropriately
executed, and in a manner that will not startle me very
greatly, and excite as little comment as possible, again I
shall leave all in your hands.
"I am passing through a very painful ordeal, which the
country, in remembrance of my noble and devoted husband,
should have spared me.
"I remain, with great respect, very truly,
"MRS. LINCOLN.
"P.S.--As you mention that my goods have been valued at over
$24,000, I will be willing to make a reduction of $8,000, and
relinquish them for $16,000. If this is not accomplished, I
will continue to sell and advertise largely until every
article is sold.
"I must have means to live, at least in a medium comfortable
state.
"M. L."
The letters are dated Chicago, and addressed to Mr. Brady, though every
one of them was written in New York; for when Mrs. L. left the West for
the East, she had settled upon no definite plan of action. Mr. Brady
proposed to show the letters to certain politicians, and ask for money
on a threat to publish them if his demands, as Mrs. Lincoln's agent,
were not complied with. When writing the letters I stood at Mrs.
Lincoln's elbow, and suggested that they be couched in the mildest
language possible.
"Never mind, Lizzie," she said; "anything to raise the wind. One might
as well be killed for a sheep as a lamb."
This latter expression was a favorite one of hers; she meaning by it,
that if one must be punished for an act, such as theft for instance,
that the punishment would be no more severe if a sheep were taken
instead of a lamb.
Mr. Brady exhibited the letters quite freely, but the parties to whom
they were shown refused to make any advances. Meanwhile our stay at the
Union Place Hotel excited so much curiosity, that a sudden movement was
rendered expedient to avoid discovery. We sent the large trunks to 609
Broadway, packed the smaller ones, paid our bills at the hotel, and one
morning hastily departed for the country, where we remained three days.
The movement was successful. The keen-eyed reporters for the daily
papers were thrown off the scent, and when we returned to the city we
took rooms at the Brandreth House, where Mrs. Lincoln registered as
"Mrs. Morris." I had desired her to go to the Metropolitan Hotel, and
confide in the proprietors, as the Messrs. Leland had always been very
kind to her, treating her with distinguished courtesy whenever she was
their guest; but this she refused to do.
Several days passed, and Messrs. Brady and Keyes were forced to
acknowledge that their scheme was a failure. The letters had been shown
to various parties, but every one declined to act. Aside from a few
dresses sold at small prices to secondhand dealers, Mrs. Lincoln's
wardrobe was still in her possession. Her visit to New York had proved
disastrous, and she was goaded into more desperate measures. Money she
must have, and to obtain it she proposed to play a bolder game. She gave
Mr. Brady permission to place her wardrobe on exhibition for sale, and
authorized him to publish the letters in the _World_.
After coming to this determination, she packed her trunks to return to
Chicago. I accompanied her to the depot, and told her good-by, on the
very morning that the letters appeared in the _World_. Mrs. Lincoln
wrote me the incidents of the journey, and the letter describes the
story more graphically than I could hope to do. I suppress many
passages, as they are of too confidential a nature to be given to the
public:
"CHICAGO, October 6th.
"My DEAR LIZZIE:--My ink is like myself and my spirits
failing, so I write you to-day with a pencil. I had a
solitary ride to this place, as you may imagine, varied by
one or two amusing incidents. I found, after you left me, I
could not continue in the car in which you left me, owing to
every seat's berth being engaged; so, being simple _Mrs.
Clarke_, I had to eat 'humble-pie' in a car less commodious.
My thoughts were too much with my 'dry goods and interests'
at 609 Broadway, to care much for my surroundings, as
uncomfortable as they were. In front of me sat a middle-aged,
gray-haired, respectable-looking gentleman, who, for the
whole morning, had the page of the _World_ before him which
contained my letters and business concerns. About four hours
before arriving at Chicago, a consequential-looking man, of
formidable size, seated himself by him, and it appears they
were entirely unknown to each other. The well-fed looking
individual opened the conversation with the man who had read
the _World_ so attentively, and the conversation soon grew
warm and earnest. The war and its devastation engaged them.
The bluffy individual, doubtless a Republican who had
pocketed his many thousands, spoke of the widows of the land,
made so by the war. My reading man remarked to him:
"'Are you aware that Mrs. Lincoln is in indigent
circumstances, and has to sell her clothing and jewelry to
gain means to make life more endurable?'
"The well-conditioned man replied: 'I do not blame her for
selling her clothing, if she wishes it. I suppose _when sold_
she will convert the proceeds into five-twenties to enable
her to have means to be buried.'
"The _World_ man turned towards him with a searching glance,
and replied, with the haughtiest manner: 'That woman is not
dead yet.'
"The discomfited individual looked down, never spoke another
word, and in half an hour left his seat, and did not return.
"I give you word for word as the conversation occurred. May
it be found through the execution of my friends, Messrs.
Brady and Keyes, that 'that woman is not yet dead,' and being
alive, she speaketh and gaineth valuable hearers. Such is
life! Those who have been injured, how gladly the injurer
would consign them to mother earth and forgetfulness! Hoping
I should not be recognized at Fort Wayne, I thought I would
get out at dinner for a cup of tea. * * * will show you what
a creature of _fate_ I am, as miserable as it sometimes is. I
went into the dining-room alone; and was ushered up to the
table, where, at its head, sat a very elegant-looking
gentleman--at his side a middle-aged lady. My black veil was
doubled over my face. I had taken my seat next to him--he at
the head of the table, I at his left hand. I immediately
_felt_ a pair of eyes was gazing at me. I looked him full in
the face, and the glance was earnestly returned. I sipped my
water, and said: 'Mr. S., is this indeed you?' His face was
as pale as the table-cloth. We entered into conversation,
when I asked him how long since he had left Chicago. He
replied, 'Two weeks since.' He said, 'How strange you should
be on the train and I not know it!'
"As soon as I could escape from the table, I did so by
saying, 'I must secure a cup of tea for a lady friend with me
who has a head-ache.' I had scarcely returned to the car,
when he entered it with a cup of tea borne by his own
aristocratic hands. I was a good deal annoyed by seeing him,
and he was so agitated that he spilled half of the cup over
my _elegantly gloved_ hands. _He_ looked very sad, and I
fancied 609 Broadway occupied his thoughts. I apologized for
the absent lady who wished the cup, by saying that 'in my
absence she had slipped out for it.' His heart was in his
eyes, notwithstanding my veiled face. Pity for me, I fear,
has something to do with all this. I never saw his manner
_so_ gentle and sad. This was nearly evening, and I did not
see him again, as he returned to the lady, who was his
sister-in-law from the East. * * * What evil spirit possessed
me to go out and get that cup of tea? When he left me,
_woman-like_ I tossed the cup of tea out of the window, and
tucked my head down and shed _bitter tears_. * * At the depot
my darling little Taddie was waiting for me, and his voice
never sounded so sweet. * * * My dear Lizzie, do visit Mr.
Brady each morning at nine o'clock, and urge them all you
can. I see by the papers Stewart has returned. To-morrow I
will send the invoice of goods, which please to not give up.
How much I miss you, tongue cannot tell. Forget my fright and
nervousness of the evening before. Of course you were as
innocent as a child in all you did. I consider you my best
living friend, and I am struggling to be enabled some day to
repay you. Write me often, as you promised.
"Always truly yours,
"M. L."
It is not necessary for me to dwell upon the public history of Mrs.
Lincoln's unfortunate venture. The question has been discussed in all
the newspapers of the land, and these discussions are so recent that it
would be useless to introduce them in these pages, even if I had an
inclination to do so. The following, from the New York _Evening
Express_, briefly tells the story:
"The attraction for ladies, and the curious and speculative of the other
sex in this city, just now, is the grand exposition of Lincoln dresses
at the office of Mr. Brady, on Broadway, a few doors south of Houston
street. The publicity given to the articles on exhibition and for sale
has excited the public curiosity, and hundreds of people, principally
women with considerable leisure moments at disposal, daily throng the
rooms of Mr. Brady, and give himself and his shop-woman more to do than
either bargained for, when a lady, with face concealed with a veil,
called and arranged for the sale of the superabundant clothing of a
distinguished and titled, but nameless lady. Twenty-five dresses, folded
or tossed about by frequent examinations, lie exposed upon a closed
piano, and upon a lounge; shawls rich and rare are displayed upon the
backs of chairs, but the more exacting obtain a better view and closer
inspection by the lady attendant throwing them occasionally upon her
shoulders, just to oblige, so that their appearance on promenade might
be seen and admired. Furs, laces, and jewelry are in a glass case, but
the 'four thousand dollars in gold' point outfit is kept in a
paste-board box, and only shown on special request.
"The feeling of the majority of visitors is adverse to the course Mrs.
Lincoln has thought proper to pursue, and the criticisms are as severe
as the cavillings are persistent at the quality of some of the dresses.
These latter are labelled at Mrs. Lincoln's own estimate, and prices
range from $25 to $75--about 50 per cent less than cost. Some of them,
if not worn long, have been worn much; they are jagged under the arms
and at the bottom of the skirt, stains are on the lining, and other
objections present themselves to those who oscillate between the dresses
and dollars, 'notwithstanding they have been worn by Madam Lincoln,' as
a lady who looked from behind a pair of gold spectacles remarked. Other
dresses, however, have scarcely been worn--one, perhaps, while Mrs.
Lincoln sat for her picture, and from one the basting threads had not
yet been removed. The general testimony is that the wearing apparel is
high-priced, and some of the examiners say that the cost-figures must
have been put on by the dressmakers; or, if such was not the case, that
gold was 250 when they were purchased, and is now but 140--so that a
dress for which $150 was paid at the rate of high figures cannot be
called cheap at half that sum, after it has been worn considerable, and
perhaps passed out of fashion. The peculiarity of the dresses is that
the most of them are cut low-necked--a taste which some ladies attribute
to Mrs. Lincoln's appreciation of her own bust.
"On Saturday last an offer was made for all the dresses. The figure
named was less than the aggregate estimate placed on them. Mr. Brady,
however, having no discretionary power, he declined to close the
bargain, but notified Mrs. Lincoln by mail. Of course, as yet, no reply
has been received. Mrs. L. desires that the auction should be deferred
till the 31st of the present month, and efforts made to dispose of the
articles at private sale up to that time.
"A Mrs. C-- called on Mr. Brady this morning, and examined minutely each
shawl. Before leaving the lady said that, at the time when there was a
hesitancy about the President issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, she
sent to Mrs. Lincoln an ashes-of-rose shawl, which was manufactured in
China, forwarded to France, and thence to Mrs. C--, in New York. The
shawl, the lady remarked, was a very handsome one, and should it come
into the hands of Mr. Brady to be sold, would like to be made aware of
the fact, so as to obtain possession again. Mr. Brady promised to
acquaint the ashes-of-rose donor, if the prized article should be among
the two trunks of goods now on the way from Chicago."
So many erroneous reports were circulated, that I made a correct
statement to one of the editors of the New York _Evening News_. The
article based upon the memoranda furnished by me appeared in the _News_
of Oct. 12, 1867. I reproduce a portion of it in this connection:
"Mrs. Lincoln feels sorely aggrieved at many of the harsh criticisms
that have been passed upon her for travelling incognito. She claims that
she adopted this course from motives of delicacy, desiring to avoid
publicity. While here, she spoke to but two former acquaintances, and
these two gentlemen whom she met on Broadway. Hundreds passed her who
had courted her good graces when she reigned supreme at the White House,
but there was no recognition. It was not because she had changed much in
personal appearance, but was merely owing to the heavy crape veil that
hid her features from view.
"She seeks to defend her course while in this city--and with much force,
too. Adverting to the fact that the Empress of France frequently
disposes of her cast-off wardrobe, and publicly too, without being
subjected to any unkind remarks regarding its propriety, she claims the
same immunity here as is accorded in Paris to Eugenie. As regards her
obscurity while in this city, she says that foreigners of note and
position frequently come to our stores, and under assumed names travel
from point to point throughout our vast domain, to avoid recognition and
the inconveniences resulting from being known, though it even be in the
form of honors. For herself she regards quiet preferable to ostentatious
show, which would have cost her much indirectly, if not directly; and
this she felt herself unable to bear, according to the measure of her
present state of finances.
"In a recent letter to her bosom friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Keckley, Mrs.
Lincoln pathetically remarks, 'Elizabeth, if evil come from this, pray
for my deliverance, as I did it for the best.' This referred to her
action in placing her personal effects before the public for sale, and
to the harsh remarks that have been made thereon by some whom she had
formerly regarded as her friends.
"As to the articles which belonged to Mr. Lincoln, they can all be
accounted for in a manner satisfactory even to an over-critical public.
During the time Mr. Lincoln was in office he was the recipient of
several canes. After his death one was given to the Hon. Charles Sumner;
another to Fred. Douglass; another to the Rev. H. H. Garnet of this
city, and another to Mr. Wm. Slade, the present steward of the White
House, who, in Mr. Lincoln's lifetime, was his messenger. This
gentleman also received some of Mr. Lincoln's apparel, among which was
his heavy gray shawl. Several other of the messengers employed about the
White House came in for a share of the deceased President's effects.
"The shepherd plaid shawl which Mr. Lincoln wore during the milder
weather, and which was rendered somewhat memorable as forming part of
his famous disguise, together with the Scotch cap, when he wended his
way secretly to the Capitol to be inaugurated as President, was given to
Dr. Abbot, of Canada, who had been one of his warmest friends. During
the war this gentleman, as a surgeon in the United States army, was in
Washington in charge of a hospital, and thus became acquainted with the
head of the nation.
"His watch, his penknife, his gold pencil, and his glasses are now in
possession of his son Robert. Nearly all else than these few things have
passed out of the family, as Mrs. Lincoln did not wish to retain them.
But all were freely given away, and not an article was parted with for
money.
"The Rev. Dr. Gurley of Washington was the spiritual adviser of the
President and his family. They attended his church. When little 'Willie'
died, he officiated at the funeral. He was a most intimate friend of the
family, and when Mr. Lincoln lay upon his death-bed Mr. Gurley was by
his side. He, as his clergyman, performed the funeral rites upon the
body of the deceased President, when it lay cold in death at the City of
Washington. He received the hat worn last by Mr. Lincoln, as we have
before stated, and it is still retained by him.
"The dress that was worn by Mrs. Lincoln on the night of the
assassination was presented to Mrs. Wm. Slade. It is a black silk with a
little white stripe. Most of the other articles that adorned Mrs.
Lincoln on that fatal night became the property of Mrs. Keckley. She has
the most of them carefully stowed away, and intends keeping them during
her life as mementos of a mournful event. The principal articles among
these are the earrings, the bonnet, and the velvet cloak. The writer of
this saw the latter on Thursday. It bears most palpable marks of the
assassination, being completely bespattered with blood, that has dried
upon its surface, and which can never be removed.
"A few words as regard the disposition and habits of Mrs. Lincoln. She
is no longer the sprightly body she was when her very presence illumed
the White House with gayety. Now she is sad and sedate, seeking
seclusion, and maintaining communication merely with her most intimate
personal friends. The most of her time she devotes to instructive
reading within the walls of her boudoir. Laying her book aside
spasmodically, she places her hand upon her forehead, as if ruminating
upon something momentous. Then her hand wanders amid her heavy tresses,
while she ponders for but a few seconds--then, by a sudden start, she
approaches her writing-stand, seizes a pen, and indites a few hasty
lines to some trusty friend, upon the troubles that weigh so heavily
upon her. Speedily it is sent to the post-office; but, hardly has the
mail departed from the city before she regrets her hasty letter, and
would give much to recall it. But, too late, it is gone, and probably
the secrets it contains are not confidentially kept by the party to whom
it was addressed, and soon it furnishes inexhaustible material for
gossip-loving people.
"As some citizens have expressed themselves desirous of aiding Mrs.
Lincoln, a subscription-book was opened at the office of her agent, Mr.
Brady, No. 609 Broadway, this morning. There is no limitation as to the
amount which may be given, though there was a proposition that a dollar
should be contributed by each person who came forward to inspect the
goods. Had each person who handled these articles given this sum, a
handsome amount would already have been realized.
"The colored people are moving in this matter. They intend to take up
collections in their churches for the benefit of Mrs. Lincoln. They are
enthusiastic, and a trifle from every African in this city would, in the
aggregate, swell into an immense sum, which would be doubly acceptable
to Mrs. Lincoln. It would satisfy her that the black people still have
the memory of her deceased husband fresh in their minds.
"The goods still remain exposed to sale, but it is now announced that
they will be sold at public auction on the 30th of this month, unless
they be disposed of before that at private sale."
It is stated in the article that the "colored people are moving in this
matter." The colored people were surprised to hear of Mrs. Lincoln's
poverty, and the news of her distress called forth strong sympathy from
their warm, generous hearts. Rev. H. H. Garnet, of New York City, and
Mr. Frederick Douglass, of Rochester, N.Y., proposed to lecture in
behalf of the widow of the lamented President, and schemes were on foot
to raise a large sum of money by contribution. The colored people
recognized Abraham Lincoln as their great friend, and they were anxious
to show their kind interest in the welfare of his family in some way
more earnest and substantial than simple words. I wrote Mrs. Lincoln
what we proposed to do, and she promptly replied, declining to receive
aid from the colored people. I showed her letter to Mr. Garnet and Mr.
Douglass, and the whole project was at once abandoned. She afterwards
consented to receive contributions from my people, but as the services
of Messrs. Douglass, Garnet, and others had been refused when first
offered, they declined to take an active part in the scheme; so nothing
was ever done. The following letters were written before Mrs. Lincoln
declined to receive aid from the colored people:
"183 BLEECKER ST., NEW YORK, October 16th, 1867.
"J. H. BRADY, ESQ.:--
"I have just received your favor, together with the
circulars. I will do all that lies in my power, but I fear
that will not be as much as you anticipate. I think, however,
that a contribution from the colored people of New York will
be worth something in a moral point of view, and likely that
will be the most that will be accomplished in the
undertaking. I am thoroughly with you in the work, although
but little may be done.
"I am truly yours,
"HENRY HIGHLAND GARNET.
"P.S.--I think it would be well if you would drop a line to
Mr. Frederick Douglass, at Rochester, New York.
"H. H. G."
"ROCHESTER, Oct. 18, 1867.
"MY DEAR MRS. KECKLEY:--You judge me rightly--I am willing to
do what I can to place the widow of our martyr President in
the affluent position which her relation to that good man and
to the country entitles her to. But I doubt the wisdom of
getting up a series of lectures for that purpose; that is
just the last thing that should be done. Still, if the thing
is done, it should be done on a grand scale. The best
speakers in the country should be secured for the purpose.
You should not place me at the head nor at the foot of the
list, but sandwich me between, for thus out of the way, it
would not give _color_ to the idea. I am to speak in Newark
on Wednesday evening next, and will endeavor to see you on
the subject. Of course, if it would not be too much to ask, I
would gladly see Mrs. Lincoln, if this could be done in a
quiet way without the reporters getting hold of it, and using
it in some way to the prejudice of that already much abused
lady. As I shall see you soon, there is less reason to write
you at length.
"I am, dear madam,
"With high respect,
"Very truly yours,
"FREDERICK DOUGLASS."
"POTTSVILLE, Oct. 29, 1867.
"MY DEAR MRS. KECKLEY:--You know the drift of my views
concerning the subscription for Mrs. Lincoln. Yet I wish to
place them more distinctly before you, so that, if you have
occasion to refer to me in connection with the matter, you
can do so with accuracy and certainty.
"It is due Mrs. Lincoln that she should be indemnified, as
far as money can do so, for the loss of her beloved husband.
Honor, gratitude, and a manly sympathy, all say yes to this.
I am willing to go farther than this, and say that Mrs.
Lincoln herself should be the judge of the amount which shall
be deemed sufficient, believing that she would not transcend
reasonable limits. The obligation resting on the nation at
large is great and increasing, but especially does it become
colored men to recognize that obligation. It was the hand of
Abraham Lincoln that broke the fetters of our enslaved
people, and let them out of the house of bondage. When he
was slain, our great benefactor fell, and left his wife and
children to the care of those for whom he gave up all. Shame
on the man or woman who, under such circumstances, would
grudge a few paltry dollars, to smooth the pathway of such a
widow! All this, and more, I feel and believe. But such is
the condition of this question, owing to party feeling, and
personal animosities now mixed up with it, that we are
compelled to consider these in the effort we are making to
obtain subscriptions.
"Now, about the meeting in Cooper Institute; I hold that that
meeting should only be held in concert with other movements.
It is bad generalship to put into the field only a fraction
of your army when you have no means to prevent their being
cut to pieces. It is gallant to go forth single-handed, but
is it wise? I want to see something more than the spiteful
_Herald_ behind me when I step forward in this cause at the
Cooper Institute. Let Mr. Brady out with his circulars, with
his list of commanding names, let the _Herald_ and _Tribune_
give a united blast upon their bugles, let the city be
placarded, and the doors of Cooper Institute be flung wide
open, and the people, without regard to party, come up to the
discharge of this national duty.
"Don't let the cause be made ridiculous by failure at the
outset. Mr. Garnet and I could bear any mortification of this
kind; but the cause could not. And our cause must not be
damaged by any such generalship, which would place us in the
van unsupported.
"I shall be at home by Saturday; please write me and let me
know how matters are proceeding. Show this letter to Messrs.
Brady and Garnet.
"I am, dear madam,
"Very truly yours,
"FREDERICK DOUGLASS."
"ROCHESTER, Oct. 30, 1867.
"MY DEAR MRS. KECKLEY:--It is just possible that I may not
take New York in my route homeward. In that case please write
me directly at Rochester, and let me know fully how the
subscription business is proceeding. The meeting here last
night was a grand success. I speak again this evening, and
perhaps at Reading tomorrow evening. My kind regards to all
who think of me at 21, including Mrs. Lawrence.
"Very truly yours,
"FREDK. DOUGLASS."
"ROCHESTER, Nov. 10, 1867.
"MY DEAR MRS. KECKLEY:--I very easily read your handwriting.
With practice you will not only write legibly but elegantly;
so no more apologies for _bad_ writing. Penmanship has always
been one of my own deficiencies, and I know how to sympathize
with you.
"I am just home, and find your letter awaiting me. You should
have received an earlier answer but for this absence. I am
sorry it will be impossible for me to see you before I go to
Washington. I am leaving home this week for Ohio, and shall
go from Ohio to Washington. I shall be in New York a day or
two after my visit to Washington, and will see you there. Any
public demonstration in which it will be desirable for me to
take part, ought to come off the last of this month or the
first of next. I thank you sincerely for the note containing
a published letter of dear Mrs. Lincoln; both letters do
credit to the excellent lady. I prize her beautiful letter to
me very highly. It is the letter of a refined and spirited
lady, let the world say what it will of her. I would write
her a word of acknowledgment but for fear to burden her with
correspondence. I am glad that Mr. Garnet and yourself saw
Mr. Greeley, and that he takes the right view of the matter;
but we want more than right views, and delay is death to the
movement. What you now want is action and cooperation. If Mr.
Brady does not for any reason find himself able to move the
machinery, somebody else should be found to take his place;
he made a good impression on me when I saw him, but I have
not seen the promised simultaneous movement of which we spoke
when together. This whole thing should be in the hands of
some recognized solid man in New York. No man would be better
than Mr. Greeley; no man in the State is more laughed at, and
yet no man is more respected and trusted; a dollar placed in
his hands would be as safe for the purpose as in a
burglar-proof safe, and what is better still, everybody
believes this. This testimonial must be more than a negro
testimonial. It is a great national duty. Mr. Lincoln did
everything for the black man, but he did it not for the black
man's sake, but for the nation's sake. His life was given for
the nation; but for being President, Mr. Lincoln would have
been alive, and Mrs. Lincoln would have been a wife, and not
a widow as now. Do all you can, dear Mrs. Keckley--nobody can
do more than you in removing the mountains of prejudice
towards that good lady, and opening the way of success in the
plan.
"I am, dear madam, very truly yours,
"FREDERICK DOUGLASS."
Many persons called at 609 Broadway to examine Mrs. Lincoln's wardrobe,
but as curiosity prompted each visit, but few articles were sold.
Messrs. Brady & Keyes were not very energetic, and, as will be seen by
the letters of Mrs. Lincoln, published in the Appendix, that lady
ultimately lost all confidence in them. It was proposed to send
circulars, stating Mrs. Lincoln's wants, and appealing to the generosity
of the people for aid, broad-cast over the country; but the scheme
failed. Messrs. Brady & Keyes were unable to obtain the names of
prominent men, whom the people had confidence in, for the circular, to
give character and responsibility to the movement--so the whole thing
was abandoned. With the Rev. Mr. Garnet, I called on Mr. Greeley, at the
office of the _Tribune_, in connection with this scheme. Mr. Greeley
received us kindly, and listened patiently to our proposals--then said:
"I shall take pleasure in rendering you what assistance I can, but the
movement must be engineered by responsible parties. Messrs. Brady &
Keyes are not the men to be at the head of it. Nobody knows who they
are, or what they are. Place the matter in the hands of those that the
people know and have some confidence in, and then there will be a chance
for success."
We thanked Mr. Greeley for his advice, for we believed it to be good
advice, and bowed ourselves out of his room. When Messrs. Brady & Keyes
were informed of the result of our interview, they became very much
excited, and denounced Mr. Greeley as "an old fool." This put an end to
the circular movement. The enterprise was nipped in the bud, and with
the bud withered Mrs. Lincoln's last hope for success. A portion of the
wardrobe was then taken to Providence, to be exhibited, but without her
consent. Mr. Brady remarked that the exhibition would bring in money,
and as money must be raised, this was the last resort. He was of the
impression that Mrs. Lincoln would approve of any movement, so it ended
in success. This, at least, is a charitable view to take of the subject.
Had the exhibition succeeded in Providence, it is my opinion that the
agents of Brady & Keyes would now be travelling over the country,
exposing Mrs. Lincoln's wardrobe to the view of the curious, at so much
per head. As is well known, the city authorities refused to allow the
exhibition to take place in Providence; therefore Mr. Brady returned to
New York with the goods, and the travelling show scheme, like the
circular scheme, was abandoned. Weeks lengthened into months, and at
Mrs. Lincoln's urgent request I remained in New York, to look after her
interests. When she left the city I engaged quiet lodgings in a private
family, where I remained about two months, when I moved to 14 Carroll
Place, and became one of the regular boarders of the house. Mrs.
Lincoln's venture proved so disastrous that she was unable to reward me
for my services, and I was compelled to take in sewing to pay for my
daily bread. My New York expedition has made me richer in experience,
but poorer in purse. During the entire winter I have worked early and
late, and practised the closest economy. Mrs. Lincoln's business
demanded much of my time, and it was a constant source of trouble to me.
When Mrs. L. left for the West, I expected to be able to return to
Washington in one week from the day; but unforeseen difficulties arose,
and I have been detained in the city for several months. As I am writing
the concluding pages of this book, I have succeeded in closing up Mrs.
Lincoln's imprudent business arrangement at 609 Broadway. The firm of
Brady & Keyes is dissolved, and Mr. Keyes has adjusted the account. The
story is told in a few words. On the 4th of March I received the
following invoice from Mr. Keyes:
"March 4, '68.
"_Invoice of articles sent to Mrs. A. Lincoln:_
1 Trunk.
1 Lace dress.
1 do. do. flounced.
5 Lace shawls.
3 Camel hair shawls.
1 Lace parasol cover.
1 do. handkerchief.
1 Sable boa.
1 White do.
1 Set furs.
2 Paisley shawls.
2 Gold bracelets.
16 Dresses.
2 Opera cloaks.
1 Purple shawl.
1 Feather cape.
28 yds. silk.
ARTICLES SOLD.
1 Diamond ring.
3 Small do.
1 Set furs.
1 Camel hair shawl.
1 Red do.
2 Dresses.
1 Child's shawl.
1 Lace Chantilly shawl."
The charges of the firm amounted to eight hundred dollars. Mrs. Lincoln
sent me a check for this amount. I handed this check to Mr. Keyes, and
he gave me the following receipt:
"Received, New York, March 4, 1868, of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln,
eight hundred and twenty dollars by draft on American National
Bank, New York.
"S. C. KEYES."
I packed the articles invoiced, and expressed the trunks to Mrs.
Lincoln at Chicago. I then demanded and received a receipt worded as
follows:
"Received, New York, March 4, 1868, of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln,
eight hundred and twenty dollars in full of all demands of
every kind up to date.
"S. C. KEYES."
This closed up the business, and with it I close the imperfect story of
my somewhat romantic life. I have experienced many ups and downs, but
still am stout of heart. The labor of a lifetime has brought me nothing
in a pecuniary way. I have worked hard, but fortune, fickle dame, has
not smiled upon me. If poverty did not weigh me down as it does, I would
not now be toiling by day with my needle, and writing by night, in the
plain little room on the fourth floor of No. 14 Carroll Place. And yet I
have learned to love the garret-like room. Here, with Mrs. Amelia
Lancaster as my only companion, I have spent many pleasant hours, as
well as sad ones, and every chair looks like an old friend. In memory I
have travelled through the shadows and the sunshine of the past, and the
bare walls are associated with the visions that have come to me from the
long-ago. As I love the children of memory, so I love every article in
this room, for each has become a part of memory itself. Though poor in
worldly goods, I am rich in friendships, and friends are a recompense
for all the woes of the darkest pages of life. For sweet friendship's
sake, I can bear more burdens than I have borne.
The letters appended from Mrs. Lincoln to myself throw a flood of light
upon the history of the "old clothes" speculation in New York.
APPENDIX
LETTERS FROM MRS. LINCOLN TO MRS. KECKLEY.
"CHICAGO, Sunday Morning, Oct. 6.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I am writing this morning with a broken heart after a
sleepless night of great mental suffering. R. came up last evening like
a maniac, and almost threatening his life, looking like death, because
the letters of the _World_ were published in yesterday's paper. I could
not refrain from weeping when I saw him so miserable. But yet, my dear
good Lizzie, was it not to protect myself and help others--and was not
my motive and action of the purest kind? Pray for me that this cup of
affliction may pass from me, or be sanctified to me. I weep whilst I am
writing. * * * * I pray for death this morning. Only my darling Taddie
prevents my taking my life. I shall have to endure a round of newspaper
abuse from the Republicans because I dared venture to relieve a few of
my wants. Tell Mr. Brady and Keyes not to have a line of mine once more
in print. I am nearly losing my reason.
"Your friend,
"M. L."
"CHICAGO, Oct. 8.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--Bowed down with suffering and anguish, again I write
you. As we might have expected, the Republicans are falsifying me, and
doing _just_ as they did when they prevented the Congressional
appropriation. Mrs. ---- knows something about these same people. As her
husband is _living_ they dare not utter all they would desire to speak.
You know yourself how innocently I have acted, and from the best and
purest motives. They will _howl_ on to prevent my disposing of my
things. What a _vile, vile_ set they are! The _Tribune_ here, Mr.
White's paper, wrote a very beautiful editorial yesterday in my behalf;
yet knowing that I have been deprived of my rights by the party, I
suppose I would be _mobbed_ if I ventured out. What a world of anguish
this is--and how I have been made to suffer! * * * You would not
recognize me now. The glass shows me a pale, wretched, haggard face, and
my dresses are like bags on me. And all because I was doing what I felt
to be my duty. Our minister, Mr. Swazey, called on me yesterday and said
I had done perfectly right. Mrs. F-- says every one speaks in the same
way. The politicians, knowing they have deprived me of my just rights,
would prefer to see me starve, rather than dispose of my things. They
will prevent the sale of anything, so I have telegraphed for them. I
hope you have received from B. the letters I have consigned to his care.
See to this. Show none of them. Write me every day.
"M. L."
"CHICAGO, Wednesday, October 9th.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--It appears as if the fiends had let loose, for the
Republican papers are tearing me to pieces in this border ruffian West.
If I had committed murder in every city in this _blessed_ Union, I could
not be more traduced. And you know how innocent I have been of the
intention of doing wrong. A piece in the morning _Tribune_, signed 'B,'
pretending to be a lady, says there is no doubt Mrs. L.--_is_
deranged--has been for years past, and will end her life in a lunatic
asylum. They would doubtless like me to begin it _now_. Mr. S., a very
kind, sympathizing minister, has been with me this morning, and has now
gone to see Mr. Medill, of the _Tribune_, to know if _he_ sanctioned his
paper publishing such an article. * * * Pray for me, dear Lizzie, for I
am very miserable and broken-hearted. Since writing this, I have just
received a letter from Mr. Keyes, begging and pleading with me to allow
them to use my name for donations. I think I will consent. * *
"Truly yours,
M. L."
"CHICAGO, Sunday, Oct. 13.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I am greatly disappointed, having only received one
letter from you since we parted, which was dated the day after. Day
after day I sent to Mrs. F. for letters. After your promise of writing
to me every other day, I can scarcely understand it. I hope to-morrow
will bring me a letter from you. How much I miss you cannot be
expressed. I hope you have arrived safely in Washington, and will tell
me everything. * * * Was there ever such cruel newspaper abuse lavished
upon an unoffending woman as has been showered upon my devoted head? The
people of this ungrateful country are like the 'dogs in the manger;'
will neither do anything themselves, nor allow me to improve my own
condition. What a Government we have! All their abuse lavished upon me
only lowers themselves in the estimation of all true-hearted people. The
Springfield _Journal_ had an editorial a few days since, with the
important information that Mrs. Lincoln had been known to be _deranged_
for years, and should be _pitied_ for all her _strange acts_. I should
have been _all right_ if I had allowed _them_ to take possession of the
White House. In the comfortable stealings by contracts from the
Government, these low creatures are allowed to hurl their malicious
wrath at me, with no one to defend me or protect me, if I should starve.
These people injure themselves far more than they could do me, by their
lies and villany. Their aim is to prevent my goods being sold, or
anything being done for me. _In this_, I very much fear, they have
succeeded.
"Write me, my dear friend, your candid opinion about everything. I
wished to be made better off, quite as much to improve your condition as
well as for myself. * * * Two weeks ago, dear Lizzie, we were in that
_den_ of discomfort and dirt. _Now_ we are far asunder. Every other day,
for the past week, I have had a chill, brought on by excitement and
suffering of mind. In the midst of it I have moved into my winter
quarters, and am now very comfortably situated. My parlor and bedroom
are very sweetly furnished. I am lodged in a handsome house, a very
kind, good, _quiet_ family, and their meals are excellent. I consider
myself fortunate in all this. I feel assured that the Republicans, who,
to cover up their own perfidy and neglect, have used every villanous
falsehood in their power to injure me--I fear they have _more_ than
succeeded, but if their day of reckoning does not come in this world, it
_will surely_ in the next. * * * *
"_Saturday._--I have determined to shed no more tears over all their
cruel falsehoods, yet, just now, I feel almost forsaken by God and
man--except by the _latter_ to be vilified. Write me all that Keyes and
Brady think of the result. For myself, after _such_ abuse, I _expect_
nothing. Oh! that I could see you. Write me, dear Lizzie, if only a
line; I cannot understand your silence. Hereafter direct your letters to
Mrs. A. Lincoln, 460 West Washington street, Chicago, Ill., care of D.
Cole. Remember 460. I am always so anxious to hear from you, I am
feeling so _friendless_ in the world. I remain always your affectionate
friend.
M. L."
POSTSCRIPT TO LETTER OF OCT. 24.
"I cannot send this letter off without writing you two little incidents
that have occurred within the past week. We may call it _justice_
rendered for _evil words_, to say the least. There is a paper published
in Chicago called the _Republican_, owned and published by Springfield
men. Each morning since my return it has been thrown at my door, filled
with abuse of myself. Four days ago a piece appeared in it, asking 'What
right had Mrs. L. to diamonds and laces?' Yesterday morning an article
appeared in the same paper, announcing that the day previous, at the
house of Mr. Bunn (the owner of the paper), in Springfield,
Illinois--the house had been entered at 11 in the morning, by burglars,
and had been robbed of _five_ diamond rings, and a quantity of fine
laces. This morning's paper announces the recovery of these articles.
Mr. Bunn, who made his hundreds of thousands off our government, is
running this paper, and denouncing the wife of the man from whom he
obtained his means. I enclose you the article about the recovery of the
goods. A few years ago he had a _small grocery_ in S----. These facts
can be authenticated. Another case in point: The evening I left my house
to come here, the young daughter of one of my neighbors in the same
block, was in a house not a square off, and in a childish manner was
regretting that I could not retain my house. The man in the house said:
'Why waste your tears and regrets on Mrs. Lincoln?' An hour afterward
the husband and wife went out to make a call, doubtless to gossip about
me; on their return they found their young boy had almost blinded
himself with gunpowder. Who will say that the cry of the 'widow and
fatherless' is disregarded in _His_ sight! If man is not merciful, God
will be in his own time.
M. L."
"CHICAGO, October 29.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I received a very pleasant note from Mr. F. Douglass
on yesterday. I will reply to it this morning, and enclose it to you to
hand or send him immediately. In this morning's _Tribune_ there was a
little article _evidently_ designed to make capital _against_ me just
now--that _three_ of my brothers were in the Southern army during the
war. If they had been friendly with me they might have said they were
_half_ brothers of Mrs. L., whom she had not known since they were
infants; and as she left Kentucky at an early age her sympathies were
entirely Republican--that her feelings were entirely with the North
during the war, and always. I never failed to urge my husband to be an
_extreme_ Republican, and now, in the day of my trouble, you see how
_this_ very party is trying to work against me. Tell Mr. Douglass, and
every one, how deeply my feelings were enlisted in the cause of freedom.
Why _harp_ upon these _half_ brothers, whom I never knew since they were
infants, and scarcely then, for my early home was truly at a _boarding_
school. Write to him all this, and talk it to every one else. If we
succeed I will soon send you enough for a very large supply of trimming
material for the winter.
Truly,
"M. L."
"CHICAGO, Nov. 2nd.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--Your letter of last Wednesday is received, and I
cannot refrain from expressing my surprise that before now K. and B. did
not go out in _search_ of names, and have sent forth all those
circulars. Their conduct is becoming mysterious. We have heard enough of
_their talk_--it is time now they should be _acting_. Their delay, I
fear, has ruined the business. The circulars should all have been out
before the _election_. I cannot understand their slowness. As Mr.
Greeley's home is in New York, he could certainly have been found had he
_been sought_; and there are plenty of other good men in New York, as
well as himself. I venture to say, that _before_ the election not a
circular will be sent out. I begin to think they are making a political
business of _my clothes_, and not for _my_ benefit either. Their delay
in acting is becoming very suspicious. Their slow, bad management is
_ruining_ every prospect of success. I fear you are only losing your
time in New York, and that I shall be left _in debt_ for what I am owing
the firm. I have written to K. and B., and they do nothing that I
request. I want neither Mr. Douglass nor Garnet to lecture in my behalf.
The conduct in New York is disgusting me with the whole business. I
cannot understand what they have been about. Their delay has only given
the enemies time to _gather_ strength; what does it all mean? Of course
give the lady at 609 permission to sell the dresses cheaper. * * * I am
feeling wretchedly over the slowness and _do-nothing_ style of B. & K. I
believe in my heart I am being used as a tool for party purposes; and
they do not design sending out a circular. * * *
"Your friend,
M. L."
"CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 1867.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--* * * Did you receive a letter a few days since, with
one enclosed for F. Douglass? also a printed letter of mine, which I
wished him to read? Do write me every other day at least, I am so
_nervous and miserable_. And Lizzie, dear, I fear we have not the
_least_ chance of success. _Do_ remain in New York a little longer, and
occupy yourself with the sewing of your friends. _Then_ I shall be able
to learn _some_thing about my business. In _your heart_ you know there
will be no success. _Why_ do you not candidly express yourself to me?
Write me, if only a few lines, and that very frequently. R. called up on
yesterday, with Judge Davis. * * * R. goes with Judge D. on Tuesday, to
settle the estate, which will give us each about $25,000, with the
income I told you of, $1,700 a year for each of us. You made a mistake
about my house costing $2,700--it was $1,700. The $22,000 Congress gave
me I spent for house and furniture, which, owing to the smallness of my
income, I was obliged to leave. I mention about the division of the
estate to you, dear Lizzie, because when it is done the _papers_ will
harp upon it. You can explain everything in New York; please do so to
every one. Please see H. G., if it should come out in the papers. I had
hoped, if something was gained, to have immediately placed _you_ in more
pleasant circumstances. Do urge F. D. to add his name to the circular;
also get them to have Beecher's. There must not be an hour's delay in
this. R. is very spiteful at present, and I think hurries up the
division to _cross_ my purposes. He mentioned yesterday that he was
going to the Rocky Mountains so soon as Edgar Welles joined him. He is
very _deep_. * * * Write me, _do_, when you receive this. Your silence
pains me.
"Truly yours,
"M. L."
"CHICAGO, NOV. 9.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I closed and sent off my letter before I had finished
all I had to say. Do not hint to K. or B., or any one else, my doubts of
them, _only watch them_. As to S. so many falsehoods are told in the
papers that all the stuff about his wife and himself may be untrue. I
hope it may prove so. I received a letter from Keyes this morning. I
believe I wrote you that I had. How hard it is that I cannot see and
talk with you in this time of great, _great_ trouble. I feel as if I had
not a friend in the world save yourself. * * I sometimes wish myself out
of this world of sorrow and care. I fear my fine articles at B.'s are
getting pulled to pieces and soiled. I do not wish you to leave N.Y.
without having the finest articles packed up and returned to me. The
_single_ white camel's hair shawl and the two Paisleys I wish returned
to me, if none of them are sold. Do you think there is the least chance
of _their_ being sold? I will give you a list of the articles I wish
returned to me from Mr. Brady's before _you leave_ New York for
Washington.
"1 Camel's hair shawl, double black centre.
1 Camel's hair shawl, double white centre.
1 Single white camel's hair shawl.
2 Paisley shawls--white.
1 Pair bracelets and diamond ring.
1 Fine lace handkerchief.
3 Black lace shawls.
2 Black lama shawls.
1 Dress, silk unmade, white and black.
1 White boa.
1 Russian sable boa.
1 Russian sable cape.
1 A. sable cape, cuffs and muff.
1 Chinchilla set.
"The lace dress, flounce, and shawl, if there is no possibility of their
being sold. Also all other fine articles return me, save the dresses
which, with prices lowered, may be sold. * *
"M. L."
"CHICAGO, Nov. 15, '67.
"MY DEAR KECKLEY;--Your last letter has been received, and believe me, I
duly appreciate your great interest in my affairs. I hope the day _may_
arrive when I can return your kindness in _more_ than words. As you are
aware of my beloved husband's great indulgence to me in pecuniary
matters, thereby allowing me to indulge in bestowing favors on those
whom I considered worthy of it, it is in this respect I feel chiefly the
humiliation of my small circumscribed income. If Congress, or the
Nation, had given me the four years' salary, I should have been able to
live as the widow of the great President Lincoln should, with sufficient
means to give liberally to all benevolent objects, and at my death
should have left at least half of it to the freedmen, for the liberty of
whom his precious sacred life was sacrificed. The men who prevented
_this_ being done by their villanous unscrupulous falsehoods, are no
friends of the colored race, and, as you well know, have led Johnson on
in his wicked course.
"'_God is just_,' and the day of retribution will come to all such, if
not in this world, in the great hereafter, to which those hoary-headed
sinners are so rapidly hastening, with an innocent conscience. I did not
feel it necessary to raise my weak woman's voice against the
persecutions that have assailed me emanating from the tongues of such
men as Weed & Co. I have felt that their infamous false lives was a
sufficient vindication of my character. They have never forgiven me for
standing between my pure and noble husband and themselves, when, for
their own vile purposes, they would have led him into error. _All this_
the country knows, and why should I dwell longer on it? In the blissful
home where my worshipped husband dwells God is ever merciful, and it is
the consolation of my broken heart that my darling husband is ever
retaining the devoted love which he always so abundantly manifested for
his wife and children in this life. I feel assured his watchful, loving
eyes are always watching over us, and he is fully aware of the wrong and
injustice permitted his family by a country he lost his life in
protecting. I write earnestly, because I feel very deeply. It appears to
me a very remarkable coincidence, that most of the good feeling
regarding my straitened circumstances proceeds from the colored people,
in whose cause my noble husband was so largely interested. Whether we
are successful or not, Mr. F. Douglass and Mr. Garnet will always have
my most grateful thanks. They are very noble men. If any _favorable_
results should crown their efforts, you may well believe at my death,
whatever sum it may be, will be bequeathed to the colored people, who
are very near my heart. In yesterday's paper it was announced that Gov.
Andrew's family were having $100,000 contributed to them. Gov. A. was a
good man, but what did _he_ do compared to President Lincoln? Right and
left the latter gave, when he had but little to bestow, and in
consequence his family are now feeling it; yet for my life I would not
recall a dollar he ever gave. Yet his favorite expression, when I have
playfully alluded to the 'rainy day' that might be in store for _himself
and his own_ on several occasions, he has looked at me so earnestly and
replied, 'Cast your bread upon the waters.' Although the petty sum of
$22,000 was an insufficient return for Congress to make me, and
allowanced to its meagreness by men who traduced and vilified the loved
wife of the great man who _made them_, and from whom they amassed great
fortunes--for _Weed, and Seward, and R._ did this last. And yet, _all
this_ was permitted by an American people, who owed _their_ remaining a
nation to my husband! I have dwelt too long on this painful subject, but
when I have been compelled from a pitiful income to make a
boarding-house of my home, as I now am doing, think you that it does
not rankle in my heart?
"Fortunately, with my husband's great, great love for me--the knowledge
of this future for his petted and idolized wife was spared him, and yet
I feel in my heart _he_ knows it all. Mr. Sumner, the intimate friend of
better days, called to see me two or three weeks since--he who had been
an habitue of the White House--both the rooms of the President and my
own reception-room, in either place he was always sure of a heartfelt
welcome; my present situation must have struck a painful chord in his
noble, sympathizing heart. And yet, when I endeavored to ameliorate my
condition, the cry has been so fearful against me as to cause me to
forget my own identity, and suppose I had plundered the nation, indeed,
and committed murder. This, certainly, cannot be America, 'the land of
the _free_,' the 'home of the _brave_.' The evening before Mr. Sumner's
last call I had received Mr. Douglass's letter; I mentioned the
circumstance to Mr. Sumner, who replied: 'Mr. Frederick Douglass is a
very noble, talented man, and I know of no one who writes a more
beautiful letter.' I am sending you a long letter, Lizzie, but I rely a
great deal on your indulgence. My fear is that you will not be able to
decipher the scrawl written so hastily.
"I remain, truly yours,
"MARY LINCOLN."
"CHICAGO, Nov. 17.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--By the time you receive this note, you will doubtless
find the papers _raving_ over the large income which we are each _said_
to have. Knowing exactly the amount we each will have, which I have
already informed you, I was going to say, I have been shocked at the
_fabulous_ sum set down to each, but I have learned not to be surprised
at anything. Of course it is gotten up to defeat success. _You_ will
_now_ see the necessity for those circulars being issued weeks since. I
enclose you a scrap from yesterday's _Times_ of C., marked No. 1; also
No. 2, to-day's _Times_. The sum of $11,000 has been subtracted in
twenty-four hours from the same paper. If it continues for a few days
longer, it will soon be right. It is a secesh paper--says Congress gave
me $25,000 as a _present_, besides $20,000 of remaining salary. The
$25,000 _you_ know to be utterly false. You can show this note to B. &
K., also the scraps sent. Let no one see them but themselves, and then
burn them. It is all just as I expected--that when the division took
place, a 'mountain would be made of a mole-hill.' And I fear it will
succeed in injuring the premeditated plans. If the _war rages_, the
_Evening News_ might simply say that the sum assigned each was false,
that $75,000 was the sum the administrator, Judge Davis, filed his bonds
for. But by all means _my authority_ must not be given. And then the
_Evening News_ can descant on the $25,000 each, with income of $1,700
each, and Mrs. Lincoln's share, she not being able to touch any of her
sons' portion. My _word_ or _testimony_ must not appear in the article;
only the paper must speak _decidedly_. It must be managed very
judiciously, and without a day's delay.
"Yours truly,
"M. L."
"Nov 17--(Private for yourself).
"LIZZIE:--Show the note enclosed with this to B. & K.; do not let them
retain it an instant after reading, nor the printed articles. I knew
these falsehoods would be circulated when the estate was divided. What
_has_ been the cause of the delay about the circulars? I fear, between
ourselves, we have reason to distrust those men,----. Whatever is raised
by the colored people, I solemnly give my word, at my death it shall
_all_, every cent, be returned to them. And out of the sum, if it is
$50,000, _you_ shall have $5,000 at my death; and I cannot live long,
suffering as I am now doing. If $25,000 is raised by your people, you
shall have the sum at my death; and in either event, the $25,000 raised,
or $50,000, I will give you $300 a year, and the promised sum at my
death. It will make your life easier. I have more faith in F.D.'s and
G.'s efforts, than in B. & K., I assure you. This division has been
trumped up just now through spite. * * I have written to Judge Davis for
an exact statement, which I will send to you when received. Write if
any thing is doing. * * *
"Truly,
"M. L."
"CHICAGO, November 21.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--Your letter of Tuesday is just received. I have just
written B. a note of thanks for his kindness; also requesting the
articles of which I gave you a list. Do see Keyes about it; K. will have
it done. And will you _see_ that they are forwarded to _me_ before _you_
leave New York? K. sent me a telegram on yesterday that eight names were
on the circulars, and that they would be sent out _immediately_. What
success do you think they will have? By all means assure K. & B. I have
great confidence in them. These circulars must bring some money. Your
letter made me quite sad. Talk to K. & B. of the _grateful feelings_ I
express towards them. Do pet up B., and see my things returned to me.
Can you not, dear Lizzie, be employed in sewing for some of your lady
friends in New York until December 1st? If I _ever_ get any money you
will be well remembered, be assured. R. and a party of young men leave
for the Rocky Mountains next Monday, to be absent three weeks. If the
circulars are sent out, of course the _blasts_ will be blown over again.
So R. is out of the way _at the time_, and money comes in, I will not
care. Write the hour you receive this. I hope they will send out 150,000
circulars. Urge K. & B. to do this.
"Your friend,
"M. L."
"Saturday Morning, November 23d.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--Although I am suffering with a fearful headache
to-day, yet, as your note of Wednesday is received, I must write. I am
grieved to find that you are so wretchedly low-spirited. * * * On
Wednesday, the 20th of November, K. sent me the telegram I send you. If
he is not in earnest, what does it mean? What is the rate of expenses
that B. has gone to in my business, that he dares to withhold my immense
amount of goods? Do you believe they _intend_ sending out those
circulars? Of course you will be well rewarded if we have any success,
but as to $500 'now,' I have it not for myself, or any one else. Pray,
what does B. propose to charge for _his expenses_? I pray God there will
be some success, although, dear Lizzie, entirely between ourselves, I
fear I am in villanous hands. As to money, I haven't it for myself just
now, even if nothing comes in. When I get my things back, if ever,
from----, I will send you some of those dresses to dispose of at
Washington for your own benefit. If we get something, you will find that
_promises_ and performance for _this_ life will be forth-coming. * * * *
It is _mysterious_ why B. NEVER writes, and K. _once_, perhaps, in three
weeks. All this is very strange. * *
"M. L."
"CHICAGO, Sunday, Nov. 24th.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I wrote you on yesterday and am aware it was not a
pleasant letter, although I wrote what I fear will turn out to be
_truths_. It will be two weeks to-morrow since the legally attested
consent from me was received by B. and K., and yet _names_ have not been
obtained for it, when last heard from. * * However, we will soon see for
ourselves. If you and I are honest in our motives and intentions, it is
no reason _all_ the world is so. * * * If I should gain nothing
pecuniarily by the loud cry that has been made over my affairs, it has
been a losing game indeed. * * * * And the laugh of the world will be
against me if it turns out as I _now_ think; there is no doubt it will
be _all_ failure. If they had issued those circulars when they should
have done, before the election, then it would have been all right. Alas!
alas! what a mistake it has all been! I have thought seriously over the
whole business, and know what I am about. I am grateful for the sympathy
of Mr. F. Douglass and Mr. Garnet. I see that F. D. is advertised to
lecture in Chicago some time this winter. Tell him, for me, he must call
and see me; give him my number. If I had been able to retain a house, I
should have offered him apartments when he came to C.; as it is, I have
to content _myself_ with lodgings. An ungrateful country this! I very
much fear the malignity of Seward, Weed, and R. will operate in Congress
the coming winter, and that I will be denounced _there_, with their
infamous and villanous falsehoods. The father of wickedness and lies
will get those men when they 'pass away;' and such fiends as they are,
always linger in this mortal sphere. The agitation of mind has very much
impaired my health. * * * * Why, why was not I taken when my darling
husband was called from my side? I have been allowed no rest by those
who, in my desolation, should have protected me. * * * * How dearly I
should love to see you _this very sad day_. Never, dear Lizzie, think of
my great nervousness the night before we parted; I had been so harassed
with my fears. * * * *
"Always yours,
"M. L."
"December 26.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--Your letters just received. I have just written to K.
to withdraw the C. Go to him yourself the moment you receive this. The
idea of Congress doing anything is ridiculous. How much ---- could
effect _if he chose_, through others. Go to B. & K. the moment you
receive this.
"Yours,
M. L."
"CHICAGO, December 27.
"DEAR LIZZIE:--I wrote you a few lines on yesterday. I have twice
written to Mr. K. to have the C. stopped. Go and see him on the subject.
I believe any more newspaper attacks would _lay me low_ * * * As
_influence_ has passed away from me with my husband, my slightest act is
misinterpreted. '_Time makes all things_ right.' I am positively
suffering for a decent dress. I see Mr. A. and _some recent_ visitors
eyeing my clothing askance. * * Do send my black merino dress to me very
soon; I must dress better in the future. I tremble at the bill that B. &
K. may send me, I am so illy prepared to meet any expense. All my
articles not sold must be sent to me. I leave _this_ place _early_ in
the spring; had you better not go with me and share my fortunes, for a
year or more? * * Write.
"Yours, etc.,
M. L."
"CLIFTON HOUSE, January 12.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--Your last letter was received a day or two since. I
have moved my quarters to _this house_, so please direct all your
letters _here_. Why did _you_ not urge them _not_ to take my goods to
Providence? For heaven's sake see K. & B. when you receive this, and
have them immediately returned to me, _with their bill_. I am so
miserable I feel like taking my own life. My darling boy, my Taddie
_alone_, I _fully_ believe, prevents the deed. Your letter announcing
that my clothes[C] were to be paraded in Europe--those I gave you--has
almost turned me wild. R. would go _raving distracted_ if such a thing
was done. If you have the _least regard_ for our reason, pray write to
the bishop that it _must_ not be done. How little did I suppose you
would do _such a thing_; you cannot imagine how much my overwhelming
sorrows would be increased. May kind Heaven turn your heart, and have
you write that _this_ exhibition must not be attempted. R. would blast
us all if you were to have this project carried out. Do remember _us_ in
our unmitigated anguish, and have those clothes, worn on those fearful
occasions, recalled. * * I am positively dying with a broken heart, and
the probability is that I shall be living but a _very_ short time. May
we all meet in a better world, where _such grief_ is unknown. Write me
all about yourself. I should like you to have about four black widow's
caps, just such as I had made in the fall in New York, sent to me. * * *
Of course you would not suppose, if I had you come out here and work for
me six weeks, I would not pay your expenses and pay you as you made
_each_ dress. The probability is that I shall need _few_ more clothes;
my rest, I am inclined to believe, is _near at hand_. Go to B. & K., and
have my clothes sent me without further publicity. * * * I am feeling
too weak to write more to-day. Why are you so silent? For the sake of
_humanity_, if not _me_ and my children, _do not_ have those black
clothes displayed in Europe. The thought has almost whitened every hair
of my head. Write when you receive this.
"Your friend,
M. L."
FOOTNOTE:
[Footnote C: The clothes that I have given for the benefit of
Wilberforce College. They have been deeded to Bishop Payne,
who will do with them as he thinks best, for the cause to
which they are dedicated. The letter on page 366 will explain
more fully.]
"NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 1st, 1868.
"BISHOP PAYNE, D.D.--DEAR SIR:--Allow me to donate certain valuable
relics, to be exhibited for the benefit of Wilberforce University, where
my son was educated, and whose life was sacrificed for liberty. These
sacred relics were presented to me by Mrs. Lincoln, after the
assassination of our beloved President. Learning that you were
struggling to get means to complete the college that was burned on the
day our great emancipator was assassinated, prompted me to donate, in
trust to J. P. Ball (agent for Wilberforce College), the identical cloak
and bonnet worn by Mrs. Lincoln on that eventful night. On the cloak can
be seen the life-blood of Abraham Lincoln. This cloak could not be
purchased from me, though many have been the offers for it. I deemed it
too _sacred_ to sell, but donate it for the cause of educating the four
millions of slaves liberated by our President, whose private character I
revere. You well know that I had every chance to learn the true man,
being constantly in the White House during his whole administration. I
also donate the glove[D] worn on his precious hand at the last inaugural
reception. This glove bears the marks of thousands who shook his hand on
that last and great occasion. This, and many other relics, I hope you
will receive in the name of the Lincoln fund. I also donate the dress
worn by Mrs. Lincoln at the last inaugural address of President Lincoln.
Please receive these from--
Your sister in Christ,
"L. KECKLEY."
FOOTNOTE:
[Footnote D: I have since concluded to retain the glove as a
precious _souvenir_ of our beloved President.]
"CLIFTON HOUSE, Jan. 15, 1868.
"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--You will think I am sending you a deluge of letters. I
am so very sad today, that I feel that I must write you. I went out last
evening with Tad, on a little business, in a street car, heavily veiled,
very imprudently having _my month's living_ in my pocket-book--and, on
return, found it gone. The loss I deserve for being so careless, but it
comes very hard on poor me. Troubles and misfortunes are fast
overwhelming me; may _the end_ soon come. I lost $82, and quite a new
pocket-book. I am very, very anxious about that bill B. & K. may bring
in. Do go, dear Lizzie, and implore them to be moderate, for I am in a
very narrow place. Tell them, I pray you, of this last loss. As they
have not been successful (BETWEEN OURSELVES), and only given me great
sorrow and trouble, I think their demand should be very small. (Do not
mention this to them.) _Do_, dear Lizzie, go to 609, and talk to them on
this subject. Let my things be sent to me immediately, and _do_ see to
it, that nothing is left behind. I can afford to lose nothing they have
had placed in their hands. I am literally suffering for my black dress.
Will you send it to me when you receive this? I am looking very shabby.
I hope you have entirely recovered. _Write_ when you receive this.
"Very truly yours,
M. L."
"CHICAGO, Feb. 7.
"MR. BRADY:--I hereby authorize Mrs. Keckley to request my bill from
you; also my goods. An exact account must be given of everything, and
all goods unsold returned to me. Pray hand Mrs. Keckley my bill, without
fail, immediately.
"Respectfully,
"MRS. LINCOLN."
"SATURDAY, Feb. 29.
"DEAR LIZZIE:--I am only able to sit up long enough to write you a line
and enclose this check to Mr. K. Give it to him when he gives you up my
goods, and require from him an exact inventory of them. I will write you
to-morrow. The hour you receive this go to him, get my goods, and do
not _give him the check until_ you get the goods, and be sure you get a
receipt for the check from him. * * In his account given ten days since,
he said we had borrowed $807; now he writes for $820. Ask him what this
means, and get him to deduct the $13. I cannot understand it. A letter
received from K. this morning says if the check is not received the
first of the week, my goods _will be sold_ so do delay not an hour to
see him. * * My diamond ring he writes has been sold; the goods sold
have amounted to $824, and they appropriate all this for their expenses.
A precious set, truly. My diamond ring itself cost more than that sum,
and I charged them not to sell it under $700. Do get my things safely
returned to me. * * *
"Truly,
"M. L."
* * * * *
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:
Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as
possible, including obsolete and variant spellings.