February 10, 1861 (Sunday)

Leaving for Washington Tomorrow

From Daily Chronicles of the American Civil War, this news story from the New York Herald about preparations Abraham Lincoln is making for his trip to Washington D.C.: 

"The President-elect, having completed the first draft of his inaugural, is now busily engaged in arranging his domestic affairs.  He attends to the minute details of the preparations for the impending removal of himself and family with his characteristic dutifulness.  The close approach of his departure has rendered him unusually grave and reflecting.  The parting with this scene of his joys and sorrows during the last thirty years, and a large circle of old and faithful friends, apparently saddens him, and directs his thoughts to the cherished past rather than the uncertain future.  His interview with the more intimate of his friends are more frequent and affectionate, and visits of strangers are not encouraged; but, although more than ordinarily moved with tender feelings, he evidently fully realizes the solemnity of the mission on which he is about to enter, and is resolved to fulfill it firmly, fearlessly, and conscientiously.

Mrs. Lincoln will start for St. Louis on Monday evening, to make additional purchases for the White House.

A member of the Georgia Secession Convention called and had a long talk with Mr. Lincoln yesterday noon.  He tried to exact a positive committal on one of the compromise propositions from him, but was unsuccessful.

Some days since a box was expressed to Mr. Lincoln from Tennessee, no letter accompanying it.  Some hesitation was at first felt to open it.  This morning, however, his private secretary overturned the box, when it was found to contain a stuffed figure representing an African."

And finally, from the Civil War Daily Gazette, this article about Lincoln's preparations for his journey:

"Lincoln dropped by his law office, Lincoln and Herndon, to go through the outstanding files with his partner Billy Herndon.  Lincoln was in a good mood as he reminisced about some of the strange cases he and Herndon had taken over the years.  But then Lincoln crossed the room and flopped himself onto a sofa and fell silent for a few minutes.

He then asked Herndon how long they have been partners.  'Sixteen years,' was the reply.

'We've never had a cross word during all that time, have we?'

'No, indeed we have not.'

Content at such a record, Lincoln gathered a few items and walked towards the doorway.  As he passed under the shingle hanging over their office, which read, 'Lincoln and Herndon,' he paused and in a quiet voice said, 'Let it hang there undisturbed.  Give our client to understand that the election of a President makes no change in the firm of Lincoln and Herndon.  If I live, I'm coming back some time, and then we'll go right on practicing law as if nothing had ever happened.' "