Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-06-20
LINCOLN AND CORwIN.
How Ola Abe Transacted Important
business.


How Ola Abe Transacted Important
business.
w.. In Clnsinnati Commereial.l
Mr.. Ashman, Mr.. Corwin and myself
had a matter Of mutual interest and
great value TO get through, and, in order
10 do il, Mr.. Lincoln had asked the writer
10 present q written scheme and the pa
pers in the special case we had. Mr..
Ashman had obtained a final interview
10 be had with the President at the resi-
dence in the Soldiers Home, near Wash
iugton, at half-past nine o'clock at night,
in the fall Of 1864, and which Mr.. Ash
man was to leave TO the latter TO close,
he (Ashman) not going. Halfpast nine
at nigkt found us at Dir. Lincolns, with
a most cordial reception, and Mr.. Lincoln
in a most happy mood. The President
began by joking Mr.. Corwin about some
dinner meeting he (Corwin) had been at.
Mr.. Corwin jokingly replied that he
got along quite well, and as well, Mr..
Corwin said, as he did at a dinner party
in Mexico given him by Spanish people,
who not one Of them, ! think, at all
events the ladies at each side, under
stood English, and he (Mr. Corwin) not
a word Of Spanish. Mr. Corwin said, at
the Mexican dinner he spoke to the lady
on his right in the most pleasing and vi
vacious way, making the best OF his char
acteristic and peculiar facial expressions,
as he narrated to us, gesticulating little,
and set this lady responding in Spanish,
and laughing; and then he turned TO. the
left one. and did the same; and thus they
laughed and talked and enjoyed them
selves hugely, but never word did either
Of them comprehend.
With Mr.. Corwin's narration and man
ner Mr.. Lincoln was delighted, and at
once made up his score with an anec-
dote of his own. This one led to an
other, until an hour and over passed by.
| expostulated with Mr.. Corwin at the
first chance, at the hazard we were run
ming with the important interest we had
charge of to get through that night; but
he replied he only wanted to get Mr..
Lincoln in the best of humors. Mr..
Lincoln finally asked us TO draw to the
center.table, over which he threw his
legs, and invited Mr.. G. and myself to
do the same. Mr.. c. did so, as we'll as
his short legs and bulk would enable
him. At it they went, and the coarser
the better pleased they were, and the
louder they laughed Time sped; eleven
came; the bell rang; the servant an
nounced Mr.. Chase and Stanton on i'm
portant business. Mr.. Lincoln hesitated,
and they directed the servant to have
Mr.. Stanton and Chase wait few mo-
ments in the lobby or ante-room, as he
was engaged, and then insisted on Mr..
Corwin going on with the tale he was
telling when interrupted. He did so.
Time was absorbed, and Mr.. Lincoln
forgot himself. At last he said to Mr.
Corwin: ~ dare not keep Chase and
Stanton waiting longer" and asked;
"What is the business you want to
have me do and the papers sign" Mr..
Corwin called on the writer to explain,
when just AS he was beginning the door
opened and Chase and Stanton stepped
in. AS these gentlemen scarce ever in
dulged as Mr.. Lincoln and Corwin
loved to do, a cloud came over the brows
of the Secretary of War and the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, as they with hasty
sight took in the circumstance and stu
alton which had kept them waiting.
Down went the legs, and up rose Mr..
Lincoln and Mr.. Corwin. AS Mr.. Chase
and Mr.. Stanton slowly advanced, Mr.
Lincoln quietly and quickly said to me,
Give me the papers, Mr. Ashman has
explained all; | will sign and return to-
morrow" AS Stanton and Chase reach
ed near Mr.. Lincoln, and we passed
them on our way out, we heard Stanton
and Chase say, ave have important
and disastrous war news, aud could not
wait, Mr.. President" We never heard
of our papers and case again. For the
Jokes we lost heavily and everything.
Had we begun business all would have
been gained; as it was, all paid dear:
Business at once calling me far away l
never again heard of these five great
statesmen. They have been called to
their last account.