Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-10-04
Mrs. LinColn's Pecuniary Circumstances
Proposed Sale OF Her Personal Effects


The announcement already has been made
says the New York W World of Yesterday that
Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, widow Of the late
President, was compelled to dispose of some
OF her personal effects in order to exc the slen-
der income which remained to her after tn.
settlement OF her husbands estate, and that
she was, IN fact In this city under the assumed
name OF MRS. Clarke tor the purpose OF super
intending the sale OF her property. As Mrs
Lincoln is no longer anxious TO withhold from
the public the facts in the case, there can be
no lmpropriety IN imparting further inforna-
tion upon the subject, as obtained from the
lady herself.
Upon the death OF Mr. Lincoln an effort was
made TO appropriate for his wife and family
the sum that he would have received from the
United States had he lived to finish his second
term o. office, TO wit: Sl0u,RN bu: ii resulted
in appropriating but S25,UU0, the amount of
one years salary as President. OF this sum,
$1,000 were required to discharge certain
standing obligations, leaving about >22.OUO,
which, with the house and lot in Springfield
ILL.,, owned by Mr.. lincoln previous to his
election 10 the Presidency in 1860. was all the
property which fell to Mrs Lincoln. Her
PIeeent income, she states, is but 81, 700 year,
of which $3.50 comes from the rent OF her old
house IN Springfield. 1t appears from this
that Mr.. Lincoln not only saved no money
while he occupied the White House, but really
lived beyond his ncomp, which, in connection
with The natural reluctance OF his widow to
return TO the simple style Of living TO which
she had been used before her residence in
Washington, has compelled her to part with
some OF her personal effects at the present
time.
Appended are several letters written bv
Mrs. Lincoln in relation to this most un-
pleasant business. The first, in order of their
date, appears 10 be the following:
"CHICAGO September /, 1867
Mr.. Brady: A notice in New York paper
having attracted my atten tion, that Won sold
articles OF value on commission, promp.s me
TO write you. The articles am sending YOU
10 dispose OF Were gifts Of dear friends, which
only Urgent necessity compels me 10 part with
and l am especially anxious that thev sh ali
not be sacrificed. The circumstances are De-
cullar and painfully embaTra ssing, therefore
l hope you will endeavor to realize as much
as possible from them. Hoping soon to If
from you, remain, very respectfully yours,
- MRS. A. LINCOLN"
In TINS connection is given an inventory OF
the articles sent 10 Mr.. Brady, at COG Broad.
way, by Mrs. Lincoln, with the valuation af-
fixed TO esch:-1 black centre camel's hair
shawl, long, 81 300; white centre camels hair
shawn, long, $l.2t1; white centre camels hair
shawl, square, SiiHr black centre camel's hair
shawl, square, $3.50; l red centre camal's hair
shawl, square. SlG0; small shawIs: square,
$50; white Paisley shawl long, S75; white
Paisley shawl, square, $50; 3 superfine point
black lace shawis, ~ 500, $500. 5000; SUPER
fine point black lace shawls, $50 $40; / white
point lace shawl, long. S2WN; white point
lace dress, uDmade, &i,tE0u: white point lace
founce, $l5U; white point lace parasol cover,
$3.50; white point lace handkerchief, $50:
Russian sable cape. 81 500; Russian sable
boa, >l.2o0. Also many other arlcles, includ-
ing diamonds, rings, &c. sc. i.+
significant feature of the subsequent let.
lers anu memoranda is the feeling enter
tanned by Mrs. Lincoln towards leading Re-
publlcans Sne complains bitterly that men
who besought her influence to secure their Of
fetal positions. and were profuse with promi-
ses II she would crafty their wishes, now give
her the cold shoulder.