The life of Abraham Lincoln : from his birth to his inauguration as president

Front matter

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant

THE LIFE

Preface

TN the following pages I have endeavored to give the life of Abraham -*- Lincoln, from his birth to his inauguration as President of the United States. The reader will judge the character of the performance by the work itself : for that reason I shall spare him the perusal of much prefatory explanation.

At the time of Mr. Lincoln's death, I determined to write his history, as I had in my possession much valuable material for such a purpose. I did not then imagine that any person could have better or more extensive materials than I possessed. I soon learned, however, that Mr. William H. Herndon of Springfield, 111., was similarly engaged. There could be no rivalry between us ; for the supreme object of both was to make the real history and character of Mr. Lincoln as well known to the public as they were to us. He deplored, as I did, the many publications pretending to be biographies which came teeming from the press, so long as the public interest about Mr. Lincoln excited the hope of gain. Out of the mass of works which appeared, of one only — Dr. Holland's — is it possible to speak with any degree of respect.

Early in 1869, Mr. Herndon placed at my disposal his remarkable collection of materials, — the richest, rarest, and fullest collection it was possible to conceive. Along with them came an offer of hearty co-operation, of which I have availed myself so extensively, that no art of mine would serve to conceal it. Added to my own collections, these acquisitions have enabled me to do what could not have been done before, — prepare an authentic biography of Mr. Lincoln.

Mr. Herndon had been the partner in business and the intimate personal associate of Mr. Lincoln for something like a quarter of a century ; and Mr.

iv PREFACE.

Lincoln had lived familiarly with several members of his family long before their individual acquaintance began. New Salem, Springfield, the old judicial circuit, the habits and friends of Mr. Lincoln, were as well known to Mr. Herndon as to himself With these advantages, and from the numberless facts and hints which had dropped from Mr. Lincoln during the confidential intercourse of an ordinary lifetime, Mr. Herndon was able to institute a thorough system of inquiry for every noteworthy circumstance and every incident of value in Mr. Lincoln's career.

The fruits of Mr. Herndon's labors are garnered in three enormous volumes of original manuscripts and a mass of unarranged letters and papers. They comprise the recollections of Mr. Lincoln's nearest friends ; of the surviving members of his family and his family-connections ; of the men still living who knew him and his parents in Kentucky ; of his schoolfellows, neighbors, and acquaintances in Indiana ; of the better part of the whole population of New Salem ; of his associates and relatives at Springfield ; and of lawyers, judges, politicians, and statesmen everywhere, who had any thing of interest or moment to relate. They were collected at vast expense of time, labor, and money, involving the employment of many agents, long journeys, tedious examinations, and voluminous correspondence. Upon the value of these materials it would be impossible to place an estimate. That I have used them conscientiously and justly is the only merit to which I lay claim.

As a general thing, my text will be found to support itself; but whether the particular authority be mentioned or not, it is proper to remark, that each statement of fact is fully sustained by indisputable evidence remaining in my possession. My original plan was to verify every important statement by one or more appropriate citations ; but it was early abandoned, not because it involved unwelcome labor, but because it encumbered my pages with a great array of obscure names, which the reader would probably pass unnoticed.

I dismiss this volume into the world, with no claim for it of literary excellence, but with the hope that it will prove what it purports to be, — a faithful record of the life of Abraham Lincoln down to the 4th of March, 1861.

Ward H. Lamon.

WAsniNGTON CiTT, May, 1872.

LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.

Mrs. Sarah Lincoln, Mother of the President page 39

Dennis F. IL^xks 46

Mr. Lincoln as a Flatboat-sian 82

Plan of New Salem 87

Black Hawk, the Indian Chief 98

Mrs. Mary Lincoln, Wife of the President 238

Joshua F. Speed 272

Hon. David Davis, Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States 313

Stephen T. Logan 333

John T. Stuart 352

William H. Herndon 376

Uncle John Hanks 445

Mr. Lincoln's Home ln Springfield, Illinois 473

Norman B. Jltdd 518

Fac-Simile of Mr. Lincoln's Account of his Family . . . Appendix.

Chapter I

Birth. — His father and mother. — History of Thomas Lincoln and his family a necessary part of Abraham Lincoln's biography. — Thomas Lincoln's ancestors. — Members of the family remaining in Virginia. — Birth of Thomas Lincoln. — Removal to Kentucky. — Life in the AVilderness. — Lincolns settle in Mercer County. — Thomas Lincoln's father shot by Indians. — Widow and family remove to Washington County. — Thomas poor. — Wanders into Breckinridge County. — Goes to Hardin County. — Works at the carpenter's trade. — Cannot read or write. — Personal appearance. — Called " Linckhom," or " Linckhern." — Thomas Lincoln as a carpenter. — Marries Nancy Hanks. — Previously courted Sally Bush. — Character of Sally Bush. — The person and character of Nancy Hanks. — Thomas and Nancy Lincoln go to live in a shed. — Birth of a daughter. — They remove to Nolin Creek. — Birth of Abraham. — Removal to Knob Creek. — Little Abe initiated into wild sports. — His sadness.— Goes to school. — Thomas Lincoln concludes to move. — Did not fly from the taint of slavery. — Abraham Lincoln always reticent about the history and character of his family. — Record in his Bible .

Chapter II

Thomas Lincoln builds a boat. — Floats down to the Ohio. — Boat capsizes. — Lands in Perry County, Indiana. — Selects a location. — Walks back to Knob Creek for wife and children. — Makes his way through the wilderness.

— Settles between the two Pigeon Creeks. — Gentryville. — Selects a site. — Lincoln builds a half-faced camp. — Clears ground and raises a small crop.

— Dennis Hanks. — Lincoln builds a cabin. — State of the country.— Indiana admitted to the Union. — Rise of Gentryville. — Character of the people. — Lincoln's patent for his land. — His farm, cabin, furniture. — The milk-sickness. — Death of Nancy Hanks Lincoln. — Funeral discourse by David Elkin. — Grave. — Tom Lincoln marries Sally Bush. — Her

vii viii CONTENTS.

goods and chattels. — Her surpiise at the poverty of the Lincoln cabin. — Clothes and comforts Abe and his sister. — Abe leads a new life. — Is sent to school. — Abe's appearance and dress. — Learning "manners."

— Abe's essays. — Tenderness for animals. — The last of school. — Abe excelled the masters. — Studied privately. — Did not like to work. — Wrote on wooden shovel and boards. — How Abe studied. — The books he read. — The " Revised Statute of Indiana." — Did not read the Bible.

— No religious opinions. — How he behaved at home. — Touching recital by Mrs. Lincoln. — Abe's memory. — Mimicks the preachers. — Makes " stump-speeches " in the field. — Cruelly maltreated by his father. — Works out cheerfully. — Universal favorite. — The kind of people he lived amongst. — Mrs. Crawford's reminiscences. — Society about Gentryville.

— His step-mother. — His sister. — The Johnstons and Hankses. — Abe a ferryman and farm-servant. — His work and habits. — Works for Josiah Crawford. — Mrs. Crawford's account of him. — Crawford's books. — Becomes a wit and a poet. — Abe the tallest and strongest man in the settlement. — Hunting in the Pigeon Creek region. — His activity. — Love of talking and reading. — Fond of rustic sports. — Furnishes the literature.

— Would not be slighted. — His satires. — Songs and chronicles. — Gentryville as " a centre of business." — Abe and other boys loiter about the village. — Very temperate. — " Clerks " for Col. Jones. — Abe saves a drunken man's life. — Fond of music. — Marriage of his sister Nancy. — Extracts from his copy-book. — His Chronicles. — Fight with the Grigsbys. — Abe "the big buck of the lick." — "Speaking meetings" at Gentryville. — Dennis Hanks's account of the way he and Abe became so learned. — Abe attends a court. — Abe expects to be President. — Going to mill. — fficked in the head by a horse. — Mr. Wood. — Piece on temperance.— On national politics. — Abe tired of home. — Works for Mr. Gentry. — Knowledge of astronomy and geography. — Goes to New Orleans. — Counterfeit money. — Fight with negroes. — Scar on his face.

— An apocryphal story 19

Chapter III

Abe's return from New Orleans. — Sawing planks for a new house. — The milk-sickness. — Removal to Illinois. — Settles near Decatur. — Abe leaves home. — Subsequent removals and death of Thomas Lincoln. — Abe's relations to the family. — Works with John Hanks after leaving home. — Splitting rails. — Makes a speech on the improvement of the Sangamon River. — Second voyage to New Orleans. — Loading and departure of the boat. — " Sticks " on New Salem dam. — Abe's contrivance to get her off.

— Model in the Patent Office. — Arrival at New Orleans. — Negroes chained. — Abe touched by the sight. — Returns on a steamboat. — Wrestles with Daniel Needham 73

Chapter IV

The site of New Salem. — The village as it existed. — The first store. — Number of inhabitants. — Their houses. — Springfield. — Petersburg. — Mr.

CONTENTS. IX

Lincoln appears a second time at New Salem. — Clerks at an election. — Pilots a boat to Beardstown. — Country store. — Abe as " first clerk" — " Clary's Grove Boys." — Character of Jack Armstrong. — He and Abe become intimate friends. — Abe's popularity. — Love of peace. — Habits of study. — "Waylaying strangers for information. — Pilots the steamer " Talisman " up and down the Sangamon 85

Chapter V

OflFutt's business gone to ruin. — The Black Hawk War. — Black Hawk crosses the Mississippi. — Deceived by his allies. — The governor's call for troops. — Abe enlists — Elected captain. — A speech. — Organization of the army. — Captain Lincoln under arrest. — The march. — Captain Lincoln's company declines to form. — Lincoln under arrest. — Stillman's defeat. — Wasting rations. — Hunger. — Mutiny. — March to Dixon. — Attempt to capture Black Hawk's pirogues. — Lincoln saves the life of an Indian. — Mutiny. — Lincoln's novel method of quelling it. — Wrestling.

— His magnanimity. — Care of his men. — Dispute with a regular officer.

— Reach Dixon. — Move to Fox River. — A stampede. — Captain Lincoln's eflBciency as an ofiBcer. — Amusements of the camp. — Captain Lincoln re-enlists as a private. — Independent spy company. — Progress of the war. — Capture of Black Hawk. — Release. — Death. — Grave. — George W. Harrison's recollections. — Duties of the spy company. — Company disbanded. — Lincoln's horse stolen. — They start home on foot.

— Buy a canoe. — Feast on a raft. — Sell the boat. — Walk again. — Arrive at Petersburg. — A sham battle 98

CHAPTER VL

The volunteers from Sangamon return shortly before the State election. — Abe a candidate for the Legislature. — Mode of bringing forward candidates. — Parties and party names. — State and national politics. — Mr. Lincoln's position. — Old way of conducting elections. — Mr. Lincoln's first stumpspeech. — "A general fight." — Mr. Lincoln's part in it. — His dress and appearance. — Speech at Island Grove. — His stories. — A third speech. — Agrees with the Whigs in the policy of internal improvements. — His own hobby. — Prepares an address to the people. — Mr. Lincoln defeated.

— Received every vote but three cast in his own precinct. . . .121

Chapter VII

Results of the canvass. — An opening in business. — The firm of Lincoln & Berry. — How they sold liquor. — What Mr. Douglas said. — The store a failure. — Berry's bad habits. — The credit system. — Lincoln's debts. — He goes to board at the tavern. — Studies law. — Walks to Springfield for books. — Progress in the law. — Does business for his neighbors. — Other studies. — Reminiscences of J. Y . Ellis. — Shy of ladies. — His apparel. — Fishing, and spouting Shakspeare and Bums. — Mr. Lincoln annoyed by

X CONTENTS.

company. — Retires to the country. — Bowlin Greene. — Mr. Lincoln's attempt to speak a funeral discourse. — John Calhoun. — Lincoln studies surveying. — Gets employment. — Lincoln appointed postmaster. — How he performed the duties. — Sale of Mr. Lincoln's personal property under execution. — Bought by James Short. — Lincoln's visits. — Old Hannah. — Ab. Trent. — Mr. Lincoln as a peacemaker. — His great strength. — The judicial quality. — Acting second in fights. — A candidate for the Legislature. — Elected. — Borrows two hundred dollars from Coleman Smoot. — How they got acquainted. — Mr. Lincoln writes a little book on infidelity. — It is burnt by Samuel Hill 135

CHAPTER Vin.

James Rutledge. — His family. — Ann Rutledge. — John McNeil. — Is engaged to Ann. — His strange story. — The loveliness of Ann's person and character. — Mr. Lincoln courts her. — They are engaged to be married. — Await the return of McNeil. — Ann dies of a broken heart. — Mr. Lincoln goes crazy. — Cared for by Bowlin Greene. — The poem " Immortality." — Mr. Lincoln's melancholy broodings. — Interviews with Isaac Cogdale after his election to the Presidency. — Mr. Herndon's interview with McNamar. — Ann's grave. — The Concord cemetery. . .159

Chapter IX

Bennett Able and family. — Mary Owens. — Mr. Lincoln falls in love with her. — What she thought of him. — A misunderstanding. — Letters from Miss Owens. — Mr. Lincoln's letters to her. — Humorous account of the afiair in a letter from Mr. Lincoln to another lady 172

Chapter X

Mr. Lincoln takes his seat in the Legislature. — Schemes of internal improvement.— Mr. Lincoln a silent member. — Meets Stephen A. Douglas. — Log-rolling. — Mr. Lincoln a candidate for re-election. — The canvass. — " The Long Nine." — Speech at Mechanicsburg. — Fight. — Reply to Dr. Early. — Reply to George Forquer. — Trick on Dick Taylor. — Attempts to create a third party. — Mr. Lincoln elected. — Federal and State poll tics. — The Bank of the United States. — Suspension of specie paj-ments.

— Mr. Lincoln wishes to be the De Witt Clinton of Illinois. — The internal-improvement system. — Capital located at Springfield. — Mr. Lincoln's conception of the duty of a representative. — His part in passing the " system." —Begins his antislavery record. — Public sentiment against the Abolitionists. — History of antislavery in Illinois. — The Covenanters.

— Struggle to amend the Constitution. — The "black code." — Death of Elijah P. Lovcjoy. — Protest against proslavcry resolutions. — No sympathy with extremists. — Suspension of specie payments. — Mr. Lincoln re-elected in 1838. — Candidate for Speaker. — Finances. — Utter failure of the internal-improvement " system." — Mr. Lincoln re-elected in

CONTENTS. xi

1840. — He introduces a bill. — His speech. — Financial expedients. — Bitterness of feeling. — Democrats seek to hold a quorum. — Mr. Lincoln jumps out of a window. — Speech by Mr. Lincoln. — The alien question. — The Democrats undertake to " reform " the j udiciary. — Mr. Douglas a leader. — Protest of Mr. Lincoln and other Whigs. — Reminiscences of a colleague. — Dinner to " The Long Nine." — " Abraham Lincoln one of nature's noblemen." . . 184

Chapter XI

Capital removed to Springfield. — Mr. Lincoln settles there to practise law. — First case. — Members of the bar. — Mr. Lincoln's partnership with John T. Stuart. — Population and condition of Springfield. — Lawyers and politicians. — Mr. Lincoln's intense ambition. — Lecture before the Springfield Lyceum. — His style. — Political discussions run high. — Joshua F. Speed his most intimate friend. — Scene in Speed's store. — Debate. — Douglas, Calhoun, Lambom, and Thomas, against Lincoln, Logan, Baker, and Browning. — Presidential elector in 1840. — Stumping for Harrison. — Scene between Lincoln and Douglas in the Court- House. — A failure. — Redeems himself — Meets Miss Mary Todd. — She takes Mr. Lincoln captive. — She refuses Douglas. — Engaged. — Miss Matilda Edwards. — Mr. Lincoln undergoes a change of heart. — Mr. Lincoln reveals to Mary the state of his mind. — She releases him. — A reconciliation. — Every thing prepared for the wedding. — Mr. Lincoln fails to appear. — Insane. — Speed takes him to Kentucky. — Lines on " Suicide." — His gloom. — Return to Springfield. — Secret meetings with Miss Todd. — Sudden marriage. — Correspondence with Mr. Speed on delicate subjects. — Relics of a great man and a great agony. — Miss Todd attacks James Shields in certain witty and sarcastic letters. — Mr. Lincoln's name " given up " as the author. — Challenged by Shields. — A meeting and an explanation. — Correspondence. — Candidate for Congressional nomination. — Letters to Speed and Morris. — Defeat . . 223

Chapter XII

Mr. Lincoln a candidate for elector in 1844. — Debates with Calhoun. — Speaks in Illinois and Indiana. — At Gentryville. — Lincoln, Baker, Logan, Hardin, aspirants for Congress. — Supposed bargain. — Canvass for Whig nomination in 1846. — Mr. Lincoln nominated. — Opposed by Peter Cartwright. — Mr. Lincoln called a deist. — Elected. — Takes his seat. —Distinguished members. — Opposed to the Mexican War. — The " Spot Resolutions." — Speech of Mr. Lincoln. — Murmurs of disapprobation. — Mr. Lincoln for " Old Rough " in 1848. — Defections at home.

— Mr. Lincoln's campaign. — Speech. — Passage not generally published.

— Letter to his father. — Second session. — The " Gott Resolution." — Mr. Lincoln's substitute 274

Chapter XIII

Mr. Lincoln in his character of country lawyer. — Public feeling at the time of his death. — Judge Davis's address at a bar-meeting. — Judge Dmmmond's address. — Mr. Lincoln's partnership with John T. Stuart. — With Stephen T.Logan. — With William H. Herndon. — Mr. Lincoln " a case-lawyer." — Slow. — Conscientious. — Henry McHenry's case. — Circumstantial evidence. — A startling case. — Mr. Lincoln's account of it. — His first case in the Supreme Court. — Could not defend a bad case.

— Ignorance of technicalities. — The Eighth Circuit. — Happy on the circuit. — Style of travelling. — His relations. — Young Johnson indicted.

— Mr. Lincoln's kindness. — Jack Armstrong's son tried for murder. — Mr. Lincoln defends him. — Alleged use of a false almanac. — Piisoner discharged. — Old Hannah's account of it. — Mr. Lincoln's suit against Illinois Central Railway Company. — McCormick Reaping Machine case.

— Treatment by Edwin M. Stanton.

Chapter XIV

Mr. Lincoln not a candidate for re-election. — Judge Logan's defeat. — Mr. Lincoln an applicant for Commissioner of the Land Ofifice. — Offered the Governorship of Oregoa. — Views concerning the Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 18.50. — Declines to be a candidate for Congress in 1850. — Death of Thomas Lincoln. — Correspondence between Mr. Lincoln and John Johnston. — Eulogy on Henry Clay. — In favor of voluntary emancipation and colonization. — Answer to Mr. Douglas's Richmond speech. — Passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. — Mr. Lincoln's views concerning slavery. — Opposed to conferring political privileges upon negroes. — Aroused by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. — Anti- Nebraska party. — Mr. Lincoln the leader. — Mr. Douglas speaks at Chicago. — At Springfield. — Mr. Lincoln replies. — A great speech. — Mr. Douglas rejoins. — The Abolitionists. — Mr. Herndon. — Determined to make Mr. Lincoln an Abolitionist. — They refuse to enter the Know- Nothing lodges. — The Abolitionists desire to force Mr. Lincoln to take a stand. — He runs away from Springfield. — He is requested to "follow up " ^Ir. Douglas. — Speech at Peoria. — Extract. — Slavery and popular sovereignty. — Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas agree not to speak any more. — The election. — Mr. Lincoln announced for the Legislature by Wm. Jayne. — Mrs. Lincoln withdraws his name. — Jayne restores it. — He is elected. — A candidate for United-States Senator. — Resigns his seat. — Is censured. — Anti-Nebraska majority in the Legislature. — The balloting. — Danger of Governor Matteson's election. — Mr. Lincoln advises his friends to vote for Judge Trumbull. — Trumbull elected. — Charges of conspiracy and corrupt bargain. — Mr. Lincoln's denial. — Mr. Douglas imputes to Mr. Lincoln extreme Abolitionist views. — Mr. Lincoln's answer 333

CONTENTS. xiii

Chapter XV

The struggle in Kansas. — The South begins the struggle. — The North meets it. — The Missourians and other proslavery forces. — Andrew H. Reeder appointed governor. — Election frauds. — Mr. Lincoln's views on Kansas. — Gov. Shannon arrives in the Territory. — The Free State men repudiate the Legislature. — Mr. Lincoln's " little speech " to the Abolitionists of Illinois. — Mr. Lincoln's party relations. — Mr. Lincoln agrees to meet the Abolitionists. — Convention at Bloomington. — Mr. Lincoln considered a convert. — His great speech. — Conservative resolutions. — Ludicrous failure of a ratification meeting at Springfield. — Mr. Lincoln's remarks. — Plot to break up the Know- Nothing party. — "National" Republican Convention. — Mr. Lincoln receives a hundred and ten votes for Vice-President. — National Democratic Convention. — Mr. Lincoln a candidate for elector. — His canvass. — Confidential letter. — Imperfect fellowship with the Abolitionists. — Mr. Douglas's speech on Kansas in June, 1857. — Mr. Lincoln's reply. — Mr. Douglas committed to support of the Lecompton Constitution. — The Dred Scott Decision discussed. — Mr. Lincoln against negro equality. — Affairs in Kansas. — Election of a new Legislature. — Submission of the Lecompton Constitution to the people. — Method of voting on it. — Constitution finally rejected. — Conflict in Congress. — Mr. Douglas's defection. — Extract from a speech by Mr. Lincoln 366

Chapter XVI

Mr. Douglas opposes the Administration. — His course in Congress. — Squatter sovereignty in full operation. — Mr. Lincoln's definition of popular sovereignty and squatter sovereignty. — Mr. Douglas's private conferences with Republicans. — Judge Trumbull's opinion. — Mr. Douglas nominated for senator by a Democratic Convention. — Mr. Lincoln's idea of what Douglas might accomplish at Charleston. — Mr. Lincoln writing a celebrated speech. — He is nominated for senator. — A startling doctrine. — A council of friends. — Same doctrine advanced at Bloomington. — The "house-divided" speech. — Mr. Lincoln promises to explain. — What Mr. Lincoln thought of Mr. Douglas. — What Mr. Douglas thought of Mr. Lincoln. — Popular canvass for senator. — Mr. Lincoln determines to " kill Douglas " as a Presidential aspirant. — Adroit plan to draw him out on squatter sovereignty. — Absurdities of Mr. Douglas. — The election. — Success of Mr. Douglas. — Reputation acquired by Mr. Lincoln 389

CHAPTER XVn.

Mr. Lincoln writes and delivers a lecture. — The Presidency. — Mr. Lincoln's " running qualities." — He thinks himself unfit. — Nominated by "Illinois Gazette." — Letter to Dr. Canisius. — Letter to Dr. Wallace on the protective tariff policy. — Mr. Lincoln in Ohio and Kansas. — A private meeting of his friends. — Permitted to use his name for the Presidency. —

XlT CONTENTS.

An invitation to speak in New York. — Choosing a subject. — Arrives in New York. — His embarrassments. — Speech in Cooper Institute. — Comments of the press. — He is charged with mercenary conduct. — Letter concerning the charge. — Visits New England. — Style and character of his speeches. — An amusing encounter with a clerical politician. . . 421

Chapter XVIII

Meeting of the Republican State Convention. — Mr. Lincoln present. — John Hanks and the rails. — Mr. Lincoln's speech. — Meeting of the Republican National Convention at Chicago. — The platform. — Combinations to secure Mr. Lincoln's nomination. — The balloting. — Mr. Lincoln nominated. — Mr. Lincoln at Springfield waiting the results of the Convention.— How he received the news. — Enthusiasm at Springfield.— Ofl5cial notification. — The " Constitutional Union " party. — The Democratic Conventions at Charleston and Baltimore. — The election. — The principle upon which Mr. Lincoln proposed to make appointments. — Mr. Stephens. — Mr. Gilmore. — Mr. Guthrie. — Mr. Seward. — Mr. Chase.

— Mr. Bates. — The cases of Smith and Cameron. — Mr. Lincoln's visit to Chicago. — Mr. Lincoln's visit to his relatives in Coles County. — Apprehensions about assassination. — A visit from Hannah Armstrong. . . 444

Chapter XIX

Difficulties and peculiarities of Mr. Lincoln's position. — A general review of his character. — His personal appearance and habits. — His house and other property. — His domestic relations. — His morbid melancholy and superstition. — Illustrated by his literary tastes. — His humor. — His temperate habits and abstinence from sensual pleasures. — His ambition. — Use of politics for personal advancement. — Love of power and place. — Of justice. — Not a demagogue or a trimmer. — His religious views. — Attempt of the Rev. Mr. Smith to convert him. — Mr. Bateraan's story as related by Dr. Holland. — Effect of his belief upon his mind and character 455

CHiVPTER XX.

Departure of the Presidential party from Springfield. — Affecting address by

Mr. Lincoln to his friends and neighbors. — His opinions concerning the

approaching civil war. — Discovery of a supposed plot to murder him at

Baltimore.— Governor Hitks's proposal to "kill Lincoln and liis men."

— The plan formed to defeat the conspiracy. — The midnight ride from Harrisburg to Washington. —Arrival in Washington. — Before the Inauguration. — Inauguration Day. — Inaugural Address. — Mr. Lincoln's Oath. — Mr. Lincoln President of the United States. — Mr. Buchanan bids him farewell 5Q5

LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

^^"lstS^

LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Chapter I

ABRAHAM LINCOLN was bom on the twelfth day of February, 1809. His father's name was Thomas Lincohi, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Hanks. At the time of his birth, they are supposed to have been married about three years. Although there appears to have been but little sympathy or affection between Thomas and Abraham Lincoln, they were nevertheless connected by ties and associations which make the previous history of Thomas Lincoln and his family a necessary part of any reasonably full biography of the great man who immortalized the name by wearing it.

Thomas Lincoln's ancestors were among the early settlers of Rockingham County in Virginia ; but exactly whence they came, or the precise time of their settlement there, it is impossible to tell. They were manifestly of English descent ; but whether emigrants directly from England to Virginia, or an offshoot of the historic Lincoln family in Massachusetts, or of the highly-respectable Lincoln family in Pennsylvania, are questions left entirely to conjecture. We have absolutely no evidence by which to determine them. Thomas Lincoln himself stoutly denied that his progenitors were either

Quakers or Puritans ; but he furnished nothing except his own word to sustain his denial : on the contrary, some of the family (distant relatives of Thomas Lincoln) who remain in Virginia believe themselves to. have sprung from the New- England stock. They found their opinion solely on the fact that the Christian names given to the sons of the two families were the same, though only in a few cases, and at different times. But this might have arisen merely from that common religious sentiment which induces parents of a devotional turn to confer scriptural names on their children, or it might have been purely accidental. Abrahams, Isaacs, and Jacobs abound in many other families who claim no kindred on that account. In England, during the ascendency of the Puritans, in times of fanatical religious excitement, the children were almost universally baptized by the names of the patriarchs and Old -Testament heroes, or bynames of their own pious invention, signifying what the infant was expected to do and to suffer in the cause of the Lord. The progenitors of all the American Liucolns were Englishmen, and they may have been Puritans. There is, therefore, nothing unreasonable in the supposition that they began the practice of conferring such names before the emigration of any of them; and the names, becoming matters of family pride and family tradition, have continued to be given ever since. But, if the fact that Christian names of a particular class prevailed among the Lincolns of Massachusetts and the Lincolns of Virginia at the same time is no proof of consanguinity, the identity of the surname is Entitled to even less consideration. It is barely possible that they may have had a common ancestor ; but, if they had, he must have lived and died so obscurely, and so long ago, that no trace of him can be discovered. It would be as difficult to prove a blood relationship between all the American Lincolns, as it would be to prove a general cousinship among all the Smiths or all the Joneses. ^ A patronymic so common as Lincoln, derived from a large geographical