The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death

Front matter

iSSI lilllSiiili

LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES

OF

Preface

During tlie Presidential canyass of 1864, the author of this work prepared for its publishers^ volume upon the Administration of President Lincoln. Its main object was to afford the American people the materials for forming an intelligent judgment as to the wisdom of continuing Mr. Lincoln, for four years more, in the Presidential office.

That canyass resulted in his re-election. But he had scarcely entered upon the duties and responsibilities of his second term, when his career was closed by assassination. He had lived long enough, however, to finish the great work which had devolved upon him. Before his eyes were closed, they beheld the overthrow of the rebellion, the extirpation of slavery, and the restoration, over all the land, of the authority of the Constitution of the United States.

Hot the people of his ’own country alone, but all the world, will study with interest the life and public acts of one whose work was at once so great and so successful. The principles which guided his conduct, and the policy by which he sought to carry them out — the temper and character which were the secret sources of his strength — will be sought and found in the acts and words of his public life. For more truly, perhaps,

Preface.

than any other man of his own or of any other time, Mr. Lincoln had but one character and one . mode of action, in public and private affairs.

It is the purpose of this work, so far as possible, to facilitate this inquiry. Every public speech, message, letter, or document of any sort from his pen, so far as accessible, will be found included in its pages. These documents, with the narrative by which they are accompanied, may, it is hoped, aid the public in understanding aright the character and conduct of the most illustrious actor, in the most important era, of American history.

ILLUSTRATIONS

1. PORTRAIT OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, engraved by A. H. Ritchie

2. ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S EARLY HOME IN KENTUCKY

3. ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S HOME IN SPRINGFIELD ....

4. RAISING THE OLD FLAG AT INDEPENDENCE HALL

5. PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND HIS FAMILY, 1S61 ....

6. INAUGURATION AS PRESIDENT AT WASHINGTON .

7. PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION

8. FAC-SIMILE OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S LETTER TO MR. RAYMOND

9. PRESIDENT LINCOLN ENTERING RICHMOND

10. ASSASSINATION AT FORD’S THEATRE .....

11. THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN .....

12. FUNERAL CORTEGE THROUGH NEW YORK ....

13. REMAINS LYING IN STATE AT CHICAGO

14. THE LAST RITES AT SPRINGFIELD .....

15. FUNERAL ARCH OYER HUDSON RIYER RAILROAD .

PAGE Face Title

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“ 104

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“ 158

, “ 168

“ 260

589, 590

Face 690

“ 696

“ 702

11 708

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Chapter I

Early Life of Abraham Lincoln. — His Own Record. — His Ancestry. — Changes of Residence. — Death and Funeral of his Mother. — Entrance upon Political Life. — A Member of the Legislature and of Congress. — The Mexican War Page 17

Chapter II. Ti1e Lincoln-douglas Debate

Presidential Campaign of 1856. — Douglas at Springfield in 1857. — Lincoln’s Reply. — The Great Debate. — Eloquent Defence of the Doctrines of the Republican Party. — Result of the Contest Page 46

Chapter III

MR. LINCOLN AND THE PRESIDENCY.

The Campaign of 1859 in Ohio. — Mr. Lincoln’s Speeches at Columbus and Cincinnati. — His Visit to the East. — In New York City. — The Great Speech at Cooper Institute. — Mr. Lincoln nominated for the Presidency.

- — His Election. Page 78

Chapter IV. From The Election, November 6, 1860, To The Inauguration, March 4

The Presidential Election. — Secession of South Carolina. — Formation of the Rebel Confederacy. — The Objects of Secession.— Secession Movements in Washington. — Debates in Congress. — The Crittenden Resolutions. — Conciliatory Action of Congress. — The Peace Conference. — Action of Congress.— The Secession Movement unchecked. Page 107

Chapter V. From Springfield To Washington

Speech at Indianapolis. — Arrival and Speech at Cincinnati. — Speech at Columbus.— Speech at Pittsburg. — Arrival and Speech at Cleveland. — Arrival at Buffalo. — At Rochester and Syracuse. — -At Albany. — Speech at

Contents.

Poughkeepsie.— In New York. — Reply to the Mayor of New York. — In New Jersey. — Arrival at Philadelphia, — Speech in Philadelphia. — At Harrisburg. — Arrival and Reception at Washington Page 131

CHAPTER YI.

FROM THE INAUGURATION TO THE MEETING OF CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1861.

The Inaugural Address. — Organization of the Government. — The Bombardment of Fort Sumter. — Passage of Troops through Baltimore. — Interview with the Mayor of Baltimore.-^-The Blockade of Rebel Ports. — The President and the Virginia Commissioners. — Instruction to our Ministers abroad. — Recognition of the Rebels as Belligerents. — Rights of Neutrals Page 161

Chapter VII. The Extra Session Of Congress, And The Military Events Of The Summer

First Annual Message. — Action of Congress. — Slavery and Confiscation. — Tire Defeat at Bull Run. — Treatment of the Slavery Question. — General Fremont and the President. — The Trent Affair Page 186

Chapter VIII. The Regular Session Of Congress, December, 1861. — The Message

DEBATES, ETC.

Meeting of Congress.— President’s Message. — Disposition of Congress. — Slavery in Territories and District of Columbia. — Proposed Aid to Emancipation by Slave States. — The Debate in Congress. — The President and General Hunter. — The Border State Representatives. — The Border State Reply. — The Finances. — The Confiscation Bill. — The President’s Action and Opinions. — The President’s Message. — Message in Regard to Mr. Cameron. — The President and his Cabinet. — Close of the Session of Congress.— The President’s Letter to Mr. Greeley. — The President and the Chicago Convention. — Proclamation of Emancipation Page 212

Chapter IX. The Military Administration Of 1862. — The President And General

m’clellan.

General McClellan succeeds McDowell. — The President’s Order for an Advance.— The Movement to the Peninsula. — Rebel Evacuation of Manassas.— Arrangements for the Peninsular Movement. — The President’s Letter to General McClellan. — The Rebel Strength at Yorktown. — The

Contents.

Battle of Williamsburg. — McClellan’s Fear of being Overwhelmed. — The President to McClellan. — Jackson’s Raid in the Shenandoah Valley. — The President to McClellan. — Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. — McClellan’s Complaints of McDowell, — His Continued Delays. — Prepares for Defeat. — Calls for more Men. — His Advice to the President. — Preparations to Concentrate the Army. — General Halleck to McClellan. — Appointment of General Pope. — Imperative Orders to McClellan. — McClellan’s Failure to aid Pope. — His Excuses for Delay. — Proposes to Leave Pope Unaided.

— Excuses for Franklin’s Delay. — His Excuses proved Groundless. — His alleged Lack of Supplies.— Advance into Maryland. — The President’s Letter to McClellan. — He Protests against Delay. — McClellan Relieved from Command. — Speech by the President Page 262

Chapter X. General Conduct Of The Administration In 1862

Successes in the Southwest. — Recognized Objects of the War. — Relations of the War to Slavery. — Our Foreign Relations. — Proposed Mediation of the French Emperor. — Reply to the French Proposal. — Secretary Seward’s Dispatch. — The President’s Letter to Fernando Wood. — Observance of the Sabbath Page 326

Chapter XI

THE CONGRESSIONAL SESSION OF 1862-’63. — MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL ACTION OF THE SESSION.

The President’s Message. — Are the Rebel States Aliens ? — The Provision for a Draft. — Message on the Finances and Currency.- -Admission of West Virginia. — Close of the Session Page 344

Chapter XII. Arbitrary Arrests. — The Suspension Of The Writ Of Habeas Corpus

— THE DRAFT.

Arbitrary Arrests.— -First Suspension of the Habeas Corpus. — Aid and Comfort to the Rebels. — Executive Order about Arrests. — Appointment of a Commissioner on Arrests. — Opposition to the Government. — The Case of Vallandigham. — Governor Seymou-r on Vallandigham. — President Lincoln on Arrests. — President Lincoln on Military Arrests. — The President’s Letter to Mr. Corning. — The President to the Ohio Committee. —

The President on Vallandigham’s Case. — The Habeas Corpus Suspended.

— Proclamation Concerning Aliens. — The Draft -The New York Riots. — Letter to Governor Seymour. — The Draft Resumed and Completed. Page 373

Contents.

Chapter XIII

MILITARY EVENTS OP 1863c — THE REBEL DEFEAT AT GETTYSBURG. — FALL OF VICKSBURG AND PORT HUDSON.

The Battles at Fredericksburg. — Rebel Raid into Pennsylvania. — Results at Gettysburg. — Vicksburg and Port Hudson Captured. — Public Rejoicings.

— The President’s Speech. — Thanksgiving for Victories. — Battle of Chattanooga.— Thanksgiving Proclamation Page 401

Chapter XIV. Political Movements In Missouri. — The State Elections Of 1s63

General Fremont in Missouri. — The President’s Letter to General Hunter. — Emancipation in Missouri. — Appointment of General Schofield. — The President and the Missouri Radicals. — The President to- the Missouri Committee. — The President and General Schofield. — The President and the Churches. — Letter to Illinois. — The Elections of 1863. ........ Page 422

Chapter XV

THE CONGRESS' OF 1863 — 64. — MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. — ACTION OF THE SESSION. — PROGRESS IN RAISING TROOPS.

The President’s Message. — The Proclamation of Amnesty. — Explanatory Proclamation. — Debate on Slavery. — Call for Troops.- — General Blair’s Resignation. — Diplomatic Correspondence. — Gur Relations with England.

— France and Mexico. — The President and the Monroe Doctrine. . . Page 445

Chapter XVI. Movements Towards Reconstruction

State Governments in Louisiana and Arkansas. — Difference of Views between the President and Congress. — The Rebellion and Labor. — The President on Benevolent Associations. — Advancing Action concerning the Negro Race. — Free State Constitutions. Page 481

Chapter XVII. Military Events Of' The Spring And Summer Of 1864

Battle of the Olustee. — Kilpatrick’s Raid on Richmond. — The Red River Expedition. — The Fort Pillow Massacre. — Rebel Atrocities. — General Grant’s Advance upon Richmond. — Battles in May. — Sherman’s March to Atlanta. — Rebel Raids in Maryland and Kentucky. — Siege of Petersburg. \ — Martial Law iu Kentucky. — Draft for Five hundred thousand Men. — Capture of Mobile and Atlanta. Page &M

Contents.

Chapter XVIII. Tele Political Campaign Op 1864

The Presidential Election. — The Cleveland Convention. — The Convention at Baltimore. — Mr. Lincoln’s Renomination and Acceptance. — Popular Feeling During the Summer. — The Arguelles Case. — The Forged Proclamation.— The Niagara Falls Conference. — The Chicago Convention. — Progress and Result of the Campaign. — Popular Joy at the Result Page 547

Chapter XIX. Tee Meeting Of Congress And Progress Op The War

Condition of the Country at the Meeting of Congress. — The Message. — Proceedings in Congress. — Fort Fisher. — Death of Edward Everett. — Peace Conference in Hampton Roads. — Military Affairs, Page 620

Chapter XX. Close Op The Rebellion

The Inaugural Address. — Proclamation to Deserters. — Speeches by the President.— Destruction of Lee’s Army. — The President’s Visit to Richmond.

— Return to Washington. — Close of the War ....... Page 669

Chapter XXI. The President’s Assassination

The Condition of the Country. — Assassination of the President — Murderous Assault upon Secretary Seward. — The Funeral Procession from Washington to Springfield, Illinois. — -Fate of the Assassins. — Estimate of Mr. Lincoln’s Character. — Conclusion. Page 691

N •

ANECDOTES AND REMINISCENCES OF PRESIDENT

LINCOLN.

PAGE

Mr. Lincoln’s Sadness 726

His Favorite Poem 728

His tfteligious Experience 730

His Sympathy 735

His Humor, Shrewdness, and Sentiment 743

The Emancipation Proclamation 759

Contents.

Appendix

LETTERS ON SUNDRY OCCASIONS.

PAGE

To Mr, Hodges, of Kentucky 767

To General Hooker 168

To John B. Fry 770

To Governor Magoffin . 770

To Count Gasparin 771

Warnings against Assassination 779

REPORTS, DISPATCHES, AND PROCLAMATIONS RELATING TO

THE ASSASSINATION.

Secretary Stanton to General Dix 783

The Deatli-Bed 785

788 788 788

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The Assassins

Reward Offered by Secretary Stanton .

Flight of the Assassins

The Conspiracy Organized in Canada. ,

Booth Killed. — Harold Captured

Reward Offered by President Johnson The Funeral.

Acting Secretary Hunter to Minister Adams

Acting Secretary Hunter to his Subordinates

Orders from Secretary Stanton and General Grant

Orders from Secretary Welles.

Order from Secretary McCulloch

Order from Postmaster-General Dennison

Proclamation by President Johnson of a Day of Humiliation and Mourning . Secretary Stanton to Minister Adams

791 791

Important Letter from J. Wilkes Booth 793

Indictment of the Conspirators 796

The Finding of the Court 799

THE LIFE,

PUBLIC SERVICES AND STATE PAPERS

OF

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

*.

Chapter I

Early Life of Abraham Lincoln. — His Own Record. — His Ancestry. — • Changes of Residence. — Death and Funeral of his Mother. — Entrance upon Political Life. — A Member of the Legislature and of Congress. — The Mexican War.

The compiler of the “ Dictionary of Congress” states, that while preparing that work for publication, in 1858, he sent to Mr. Lincoln the usual request for a sketch of his life, and received the following reply :

“ Born, February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky.

“ Education defective.

“ Profession, a Lawyer.

“ Have been a Captain of Volunteers in Black Hawk War.

“ Postmaster at a very small Office.

“ Four times a Member of the Illinois Legislature, and was a Member of the Lower House of Congress.

“ Yours, &o.,

“A. Lincoln.”

Around the facts stated with such characteristic modesty and brevity clusters the history of the early life of our late President. The ancestors of Abraham Lincoln were of English descent ; and although they are believed to have originally emigrated to this country with the followers of William Penn, it is difficult to trace them 2 farther hack than to their place of residence in Berks County, Pennsylvania, whence a part of the family removed, in 1750, to that section of Virginia now known as Rockingham County. Thirty years later, Abraham Lincoln, the grandfather of our late President, finding civilization crowding him too closely, and possibly enticed by the stories which came back to the frontier settlements from that famous pioneer, Daniel Boone, but undeterred by the dangers which he knew he must inevitably encounter, determined to make another bold push westward, and settled on Floyd’s Creek, in Kentucky, in what is now known as Bullitt County. Hardly had he secured a home for his little family, when he was fatally shot by an Indian, who came upon him stealthily while he was at work, some distance from his log cabin. Thus deprived of her protector, his widow at once removed, with her three sons and two daughters, to that part of Kentucky now known as Washington County. Thomas, the eldest of the sons, the father of Abraham Lincoln, was but six years old when his mother was so suddenly made a widow. The necessity of assisting to provide for her probably delayed his own settlement in life, for it was not until he was twenty-eight years old, in 1806, that he married Haney Hanks.

His wife was a Virginian by birth ; but no facts regarding either her ancestry or early life have been preserved, although it is a tradition, possibly originating in the reputation achieved by her son, that she was a woman of rare mental endowment. Immediately after their marriage the couple removed to Hardin County, Kentucky, and there, on February 12th, 1809, as has already been stated, Abraham Lincoln was born. His early life was spent in poverty and toil ; but his father, feeling keenly his own deficiencies, determined to give his son every possible advantage in the way of gaining an education, and, when but seven years old, he was equipped with an old copy of Dilwortli’s Spelling Book, which constituted one-third of the family library, and was sent to school to a Mr. Hazel. It is also said that one Zachariah Riney, a Roman Catholic, having some connection with the Trappists, who had founded an institution on Pottinger’ s Creek, with Urban Guillet as superior, had the honor of instructing the future President in the rudiments. Whether Mr. Lincoln favored his other children, one a girl two years older than Abraham, and the other a boy two years his junior, to the same extent, is doubtful, for the routine of school life was not only broken in upon by his frequent demands upon his son’s time, but finally it was interrupted altogether by his determination to abandon Kentucky and try his fortunes where his energies were not checked and repressed by the obstacles which slavery constantly thrust in his way. In 1817 Mr. Lincoln carried this plan into execution. The old home was sold, their small stock of valuables placed upon a raft, and the little family took their way to a new home in the wilds of Indiana, where free labor would have no competition with slave labor, and the poor white man might hope that in time his children could take an honorable position, won by industry and careful economy. The place of their destination was Spencer County, Indiana. For the last few miles they were obliged to cut their road as they went on. “With the resolution of veteran pioneers they toiled, sometimes being able to pick their way for a long distance without chopping, and then coming to a standstill in consequence of dense forests. Suffice it to say, that they were obliged to cut a road so much of the way that several days were employed in going eighteen miles. It was a difficult, wearisome, trying journey, and Mr. Lincoln often said, that he never passed through a harder experience than he did in going from Thompson’ s Ferry to Spenser County, Indiana.”

Thus, before he was eight years old, Abraham Lincoln began the serious business of life. The cabin in which the family lived was built of logs, and even the aid of such a mere child was of account in the wilderness where they now found themselves, after seven days of weary travel. Their neighbors, none of whom lived nearer than two or three miles, welcomed the strangers, and lent a hand towards building the rude dwelling in which the future President lay down, after fatiguing but healthful toil, to dream the dreams of childhood, undisturbed by thoughts of the future.

But just as Abraham was becoming accustomed to his new residence, his home was made desolate by the death of his mother, which occurred when he was ten years old. She died long before she could have imagined, in her wildest dreams, the eminence and distinction which her son was to attain ; but she was happy in the knowledge that, chiefly under her own tuition, for she had not intrusted his education entirely to the schoolmaster who chanced to settle within reach, her favorite son had .learned to read the Bible — the book which, as a Christian woman, she prized above all others. It is impossible to estimate the influence which this faithful mother exerted in moulding the character of her child ; but it is easy to believe that the earnestness with which she impressed upon his mind and heart the holy precepts, did much to develop those characteristics which in after years caused him to be known as pre-eminently the “ Honest” man. There is touching evidence that Abraham held the memory of his mother in sacred remembrance. She had instructed him in the rudiments of writing, and Mr. Lincoln, in spite of the disparaging remarks of his neighbors, who regarded the accomplishment as entirely unnecessary, encouraged his son to persevere, until he was able to put his thoughts upon paper in a style which, although rude, caused him to be regarded as quite a prodigy among the illiterate neighbors. One of the very first efforts of his faltering pen was writing a letter to an old friend of his mother’s, a travelling preacher, urging him to come and deliver a sermon over her grave. The invitation must have been couched in impressive, if not affecting language ; for, although the letter was not written until nine months after his mother’s remains had been deposited in their last resting-place, Parson Elkins, the preacher to whom it was extended, responded to the request, and three months subsequent* ly, just a year after tier decease, preached a sermon commemorative of the virtues of one whom her neighbors still held in affectionate and respectful remembrance. In his discourse it is said that the Parson alluded to the manner in which he had received the invitation, and Abraham’ s pen thereafter found frequent employment, in writing letters for the same neighbors who had before pretended to esteem lightly the accomplishment of which they at last recognized the value.

About two years after the death of Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln married Mrs. Sally Johnston, a widow with three children. She proved an excellent mother to her step-son and daughter, and a faithful wife. During the twelve years that the family remained in Indiana, Abraham’s father encouraged him to improve all the opportunities offered for mental development. How scanty these privileges were, may be inferred from the fact that the entire number of days that he was able to attend school hardly exceeded one year. While in Indiana, one of his teachers was a Mr. Dorsey, who, a few months ago, was living in Schuyler County, Illinois, where he was looked up to with much respect by his neighbors, as one of those who had assisted in the early instruction of the then President of the United States. He tells with great satisfaction how his pupil, who was then remarked for the diligence and eagerness with which he pursued his studies, came to the log-cabin school-house arrayed in buckskin clothes, a raccoon-skin cap, and provided with an old arithmetic which had somewhere been found for him to begin his investigations into the “ higher branches.” In connection with his attendance upon Mr. Crawford’s school, an incident is told which is sure to find a place in every biography of our late President. Books were, of course, very hard to find in the sparsely settled district of Indiana where the Lincoln family had tlieir home, and every printed volume upon which Abraham could lay his hands was carefully guarded and eagerly devoured.

Among the volumes in Mr. Crawford’s scanty library was a copy of Ramsay’s Life of Washington, which Abraham secured permission upon one occasion, to take home with him. During a severe storm he improved his leisure by reading his book. One night he laid it down carefully, as he thought, and the next morning he found it soaked through ! The wind had changed, the storm had beaten in through a crack in the logs, and the appearance of the book was ruined. How could he face the owner under such circumstances ? He had no money to offer as a return, but he took the book, went directly to Mr. Crawford, showed him the irreparable injury, and frankly and honestly offered to work for him until he should be satisfied. Mr. Crawford accepted the offer, and gave Abraham the book for his own, in return for three days’ steady labor in ‘'pulling fodder.” This, and Weems’s Life of Washington, were among the boy’ s favorite books, and the story that we have just told is so nearly parallel to the famous “hatchet” incident in the early days of the Father of his Country, that it is easy to believe that the frequent perusal of it impressed upon his mind, more effectually than any solemn exhortation could have done, the precept that “honesty is the best policy,” and thus assisted to develop that character of which integrity was so prominent a trait in after years. Among the other volumes which Mr. Lincoln was accustomed to refer to, as having been eagerly read in his youthful days, were a Life of Henry Clay, Esop’s Fables, and Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. It is quite probable that the quaint phraseology of these last two volumes, and their direct and forcible illustrations, may have impressed upon the productions of Mr. Lincoln’ s pen that style which is one of their most peculiar and favorite characteristics.

When nineteen years old, Abraham Lincoln, moved, perhaps, equally by the desire to earn an honest livelihood in the shape of ‘ ‘ ten dollars a month and found, ’ ’ and by curiosity to see more of the world, made a trip down the Mississippi to Hew Orleans, upon a flat-boat. He went in company with the son of the owner of the boat, who intrusted a valuable cargo to their care. The trip was quite an eventful and exciting one, for on the way down the great riyer they were attacked by seven negroes, who hoped to capture the boat and the cargo. They found, however, that they had undertaken a task to the execution of which they were unequal. After a spirited contest the negroes were driven back, and compelled to abandon their attempt, leaving our boatmen the undisputed masters of the field. Upon this trip young Lincoln’s literary acquirements were called into useful action, and besides the stipulated ten dollars per month, he gained a substantial reputation as a youth of promising business talent.

During the twelve years that the family had been living in Indiana, the advancing tide of civilization had again encroached upon them almost imperceptibly, and in 1830 Thomas Lincoln, impatient of the restrictions which he found the gradually increasing population drawing around him, again determined to seek a new home farther west, and after fifteen days’ journey came upon a site near Decatur, Macon County, Illinois, which *

seemed to him a desirable one. He immediately erected a log cabin, and, with the aid of his son, who was now twenty-one, proceeded to fence in his new farm. Abraham had little idea, while engaged in the unromantic occupation of mauling the rails which were to bound his father s possessions, that he was writing a page in his life which would be read by the whole nation years afterward. Yet so it proved to be. A writer, describing one of the incidents in the earlier political career of the late President, says : —

During the sitting of the Republican State Convention, at Decatur, a banner, attached to two of these rails, and bearing an appropriate inscription, was brought into the assemblage, and formally presented to that body, amid a scene of unparalleled enthusiasm. After that, they were in demand in every State of the Union in which free labor is honored, where they were borne in processions of the people, and hailed by hundreds of thousands of freemen as a symbol of triumph, and as a glorious vindication of freedom and of the rights and dignity of free labor. These, however, were far from being the first and only rails made by Lincoln. He was a practised hand at the business. Mr. Lincoln has now a caue made from one of the rails split by his own hands in boyhood.

Every one remembers how, during tlie presidential campaign of 1860, Mr. Lincoln was characterized as a “ rail- splitter first, sneeringly, by his opponents ; after-

wards by his own supporters, as the best possible proof that he was of and from the people.

Notwithstanding the increasing age of Thomas Lincoln, his disposition was so restless, and his desire for change so ineradicable, that, after a single year’ s residence in his new home, he determined to abandon it, and in the spring of 1831 started for Coles County, sixty or seventy miles to the eastward. Abraham determined not to fobow his father in his journeyings, and possibly the want of his son’ s efficient help compelled him to forego further change, and to settle down for the rest of his days on the upper waters of the Kaskaskia and Embarras, where he died on January 17, 1851, in the seventy-third year of his age. In the spring of 1831, Abraham made his second trip to New Orleans, in the capacity of a fiat-boatman, returning in the summer of the same year. The man who had employed him for this voyage was so well pleased with the energy and business capacity displayed by young Lincoln, that upon establishing a store at New Salem, some twenty miles from Springfield, soon afterward, he engaged him to assist him in the capacity of clerk, and also to superintend a flouring-mill in the immediate vicinity. In one of the celebrated debates during the Senatorial campaign, Mr. Douglas ventured to refer, in rather disparaging terms, to this year of Mr. Lincoln’s life, taunting him with having been a grocery-keeper. To this Mr. Lincoln replied as follows : —

The judge is wofully at fault about his early friend Lincoln being a “grocery-keeper.” I don’t know as it would he a great sin, if I had been ; but he is mistaken. Lincoln never kept a grocery anywhere in the world. It is true that Lincoln did work the latter part of one winter in a little still-house, up at the head of a hollow.

This frank statement drew the sting completely from the taunt of Senator Douglas. Some, at least, of those who were listening to the debate, knew that, at the time

State Papers of Abraham Lincoln.

to winch Mr. Lincoln referred, a winter of unusual severity liad caused extreme suffering through that section of Illinois, and that he was not only anxious, hut compelled, to take up with any occupation by which he might turn an honest penny in order to keep his father’ s family, who were even then partially dependent upon him, from positive want.

In 1832 the Black Hawk war broke out, and Mr. Lincoln, prompt as ever to answer the call of duty, joined a volunteer company and took the field against the Indians. That he had already gained a recognized position in the part of the State where he then lived, is clearly indicated by the fact that he was elected captain of his company. After a few weeks’ ineffectual service, the force which had responded to the call of Governor Reynolds was disbanded. The troubles broke out anew, however, within a short time, and again Mr. Lincoln enlisted, this time also as a private. What rank was conferred upon him, if any, during this campaign is not recorded ; but in spite of the pressure brought to bear upon him by older members of his company, to induce him to return home, he discharged his duties faithfully through the three months’ campaign.

X Many years after, during his congressional career, Mr. Lincoln referred thus humorously to his military services in this “ war —