1 PREFACE. 7 connection with all the events of the war for the preservation of American nationality, are in the archives of the War Department; and they are there retained, only to be revealed when the present generation shall have passed away. The Life of Washington, even though it was written by a Marshall, with the abundant access to unpublished documents which his position enabled him to command, or which it was the policy of the government to afford him, waited half a century for Irving, to give it symmetry and completeness. The humbler biographers of Mr. Lincoln, though they satisfy an immediate want, and gather much which would otherwise be forever lost, can hardly hope to be more than tributaries to that better and completer biography which the next, or some succeeding generation, will be sure to produce and possess. I have no opportunity, except that which this page affords me, to acknowledge my indebtedness to those who have assisted me in the collection of unpublished materials for this volume. I have been indebted specially to William H. Herndon, Esq., of Springfield, Illinois, for many years Mr. Lincoln's law partner, who has manifested, from the first, the kindest interest in my book; to Newton Bateman, Esq., Superintendent of Public Instruction in Illinois; to James Q. Howard, Esq., United States Consul at St. John, New Brunswick; to Hon. John D. Defrees, Superintendent of Public Printing in Washington; to Hon. Henry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts; to Horace White, Esq., of the Chicago Tribune; to U. F. Linder, Esq., of Chicago; to J. F. Speed, Esq., of Louisville, Ken tucky; to Judge S. T. Logan, Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, Rev. A. Hale, and Hon. Erastus Wright, old neighbors and friends of Mr. Lincoln in Illinois; to Rev. J. T. Duryea, of New York; and George H. Stuart, Esq., of Philadelphia. To these, and to the unnamed but not forgotten friends who have aided me, I return my hearty thanks. I Putnam's "Record of the Rebellion" has proved itself an inexhaustible fountain of valuable and interesting facts; and I have been much indebted to McPherson's History of the Rebellion, the best arranged and most complete collection of public documents relating to the war that has been published. have freely consulted the campaign biographies of Messrs. Scripps, Raymond, and Barrett, to the excellence of which I bear cheerful testimony. Among other books that have been useful to me, are Nichols' "Story of the Great March," Coggeshall's "Journeys of Abraham Lincoln," Schalk's "Campaigns of 1862 and 1863," and Halsted's "Caucuses of 1860." Carpenter's "Reminiscences," published in the New York Independent, and an article by Noah Brooks in Harper's Magazine, have furnished me also with some very interesting materials. Hoping that the volume will be as pleasant, instructive and inspiring in the reading as it has been in the writing, I present it to my indulgent friends, the American people. J. G. H. SPRINGFIELD, MASS., November, 1865. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Birth-Daniel Boone and the Pioneers of Kentucky-Abraham Lincoln, the Grand- father of the President-His Removal to Kentucky, and Death-His Brothers and Sons-Probable Origin of the Lincolns-Thomas Lincoln, the Father of the Presi- dent-His Marriage-His Children-The Mother of the President-Early Education of Abraham Lincoln-His Schoolmasters-Zachariah Riney-Caleb Hazel-Religious Habits of the People-Parson Elkin-Slavery in Kentucky-Defective Land-titles Lincoln's early Industry-His Schools-Simplicity of Border Life-Death of his Mother -Her Funeral Sermon-Her Influence upon his Character-His early Practice of Writing-His Books-Anecdote illustrating his Honesty-His Father's second Mar- riage-Anecdote illustrating Mr. Lincoln's Humanity-He builds a Boat-A Fact for the Psychologist-He takes charge of a Flat-boat for New Orleans-His Con- test with seven Negroes-He sells the Boat and Cargo, and returns on foot-His EARLY MANHOOD. Marriages in Thomas Lincoln's Family-Marriage and Death of Abraham's Sister- Removal of Thomas Lincoln to Illinois-Difficulties of the Journey-Abraham as- sists in building a Log House and in splitting Rails-He leaves Home-Works for hire, Chopping Wood and Farming-Anecdote-Thomas Lincoln removes to Coles County-His death-Abraham goes to New Orleans with a Cargo of Swine-He is employed in a Store at New Salem-Anecdotes illustrating his Honesty-His Pun- ishment of a Bully-His Adventure with the "Clary's Grove Boys"-He studies English Grammar-Attends Debating Clubs-Anecdote-His Employer fails, and Black Hawk-His Treachery-Governor Reynolds calls for Volunteers-Lincoln enlists CHARACTER OF MR. LINCOLN ON ENTERING PUBLIC LIFE. Mr. Lincoln was a Self-made Man-Loyal to his Convictions-Marked and Peculiar- Anecdotes-He was Respected and Loved-A Man of Practical Expedients-Anec- dote-Mr. Lincoln was a Religious Man-His Faith in Divine Providence-His Log- MR. LINCOLN IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. 58 Mr. Lincoln contemplates the Study of Law-He begins to make Speeches-Elected to Mr. Lincoln becomes a Law-partner of Major Stuart, and removes to Springfield-Re- elected to the Legislature in 1838-Potca Partes in Illinois-Mr. Lincoln's Stories -The Member from Wabash Countv-" R'd:ng the Circuit" in Illinois-Mr. Lin- coln's Ability as a Lawyer-His Regard for Justice-Mr. Lincoln and the Pig-His Power as an Advocate-His "Coit Case" in the Co.es Circuit Court-His Exception- able Stories-His Regard for Poor Relatives, ... CHAPTER VIIL MR. LINCOLN'S MARRIAGE. THE CLAY CAMPAIGN. MR. LINCOLN IN CONGRESS.-THE MEXICAN WAR. the Whig Convention of 1848-Advocates the nomination of General Taylor-Speech in Congress on the Candidates for the Presidency-Correspondence with the Whig Leaders in Illinois-Speeches during the Canvass-Second Session of the Thirtieth Congress-Mr. Lincoln's Position on the Slavery Question-He seeks for the Posi- tion of Commissioner of the General Land Office, but fails, . . RETURN TO PRIVATE LIFE.-REPEAL OF THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE. Mr. Lincoln returns to the Practice of his Profession-His Affection for his Children- His Absent-mindedness-He Studies Euclid-His Mechanical Skill-Anecdotes il- lustrating his Practice of Law-Opinions of Judge Caton, Judge Breese, Judge Drummond, and Judge Davis-Mr. Lincoln's Eulogy on Henry Clay-Admission of California as a Free State-"Compromise Measures" of 1850-Election of Mr. Pierce to the Presidency-Repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and Passage of the Kansas- Nebraska Bill-Judge Douglas and Popular Sovereignty-Meeting of Douglas and Lincoln at Springfield-At Peoria-Extract from Mr. Lincoln's Speech at Peoria- Overthrow of the Democratic Party in Illinois-Election of Mr. Trumbull to the ORGANIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. Affairs in Kansas-Border Ruffians-Letter of Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Speed-State of the Slavery Question-Mr. Lincoln attends a State Convention at Bloomington-Repub- lican Party organized in Illinois-Mr. Lincoln's Speech at the Convention-Mr. Lin- coln a Candidate for the Vice-presidency at the National Republican Convention of 1856-Speech at Charleston, Illinois-Speech of Mr. Douglas at Springfield-Mr. Lincoln's Reply-The Lecompton Constitution-Position of Mr. Douglas, ... 144 Sketch of the previous History of Stephen A. Douglas-Mr. Lincoln's Opinion of him- Mr. Douglas opposes the Lecompton Constitution-Democratic State Convention- Eastern Republicans favor Mr. Douglas' Re-election-Views of the Republican Party in Illinois-Republican State Convention-Resolution on the Dred Scott De- cision and the Power of Congress over the Territories-Mr. Lincoln Nominated for United States Senator-His Speech before the Convention-Speech of Mr. Douglas at Chicago-His Misrepresentations of Mr. Lincoln-His Views on the Dred Scott Decision-Mr. Lincoln's Reply-Illustrations of his Tact and Wit, Mr. Lincoln proposes to Mr. Douglas a Joint Canvass of the State-Mr. Douglas de- clines, but proposes Joint Debates in seven Districts-Mr. Lincoln commences his Canvass of the State-His Reply to Douglas' Charge of Falsehood-Meeting of Douglas and Lincoln at Ottawa-Mr. Douglas' Charges, and Mr. Lincoln's Replies- Extract from Mr. Lincoln's Speech-Their Meeting at Freeport-Lincoln's Reply to the Questions of Douglas-His Questions to Douglas-Answers of Douglas, and Lincoln's Rejoinder-Triumph of Mr. Lincoln in the Popular Estimation-Objects of Mr. Lincoln in the Campaign-Mr. Douglas Re-elected Senator by the Legisla- |