The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-22
MIR. LINCOLN IN '61.
His Unexpected Arrival at WashingtOn-Re-
ceiving the Members of the Peace Con


His Unexpected Arrival at Washington-Ise-
ceiving the Members of the Peace Con-
gress.
Ben: Poorley Poore.
The unexpected arrival of Mr.. Lincoln before
his Inauguration at Wizards Hotel early in the
morning created quite sensation when it be-
came known in Washington 1t was not true,
as was asserted, that he came in disguise, al
though he wore travelling cap and shawl which
had been loaned him, and which changed his APP
pearance.
Mr.. Lincoln felt confident that an attempt was
to have been made to assassinate him as he
passed through Baltimore. Among other state
mentS which confirmed him in this opinion was
one by Mr. Chittenden of Vermont,
afterward Register of the Treasury. Mr.
Chittenden was a delegate from the State
OF Vermont to the peace conference which
met in Washington in the month of
February. 1861, upon the invitation of the Gov
ernor of Virginia In that convention he happened
to form the acquaintance of James B. Clay of
Kentucky, William A Seldom, of Virginia, latter
ward the rebel Secretary of War;, Governor
Morehead, of Kentucky, and others. His seat
was near those gentlemen. One morning, while
sitting chatting with them before the convention
met, servant from the adjacent hotel entered
and handed card to Mr.. Seddon, who sat near
Mr.. Chittenden He did not know what was on
the card. but it was passed around from one to
the other in such "a manner that he could not
help but see what was written on it. On the
card was written these words: Lincoln
is in Washington" He never saw such
confusion made by small piece of card
before. They looked at each other
with amazement At last Waldo P johnson,
afterward Senator from Missouri who could
control himself no longer, exclaimed with We
hemence: How in the devil did he get through
Baltimorer A few hours later the President
elect was asked if he would receive the members
of the peace congress. and he said that he would
Mr.. Lincoln, who had returned to the hotel
from call at the White House, received the
members of the peace congress, who had formed
in procession in the hall where they met and
moved to the reception parlor of the hotel EN-
President Tyler and Gov. Chase led the van
The latter did the honors, first introducing Mr.
Tyler. Mr.. Lincoln received him with all the
respect due to his position. The several dele
gates were then presented by Gov Chase, in the
usual manner. The greatest curiosity was man
Tested to witness this, Mr. Lineoln's first recep-
ton in Washington. The most noticeable thing
that occurred was the manifestation by
Mr.. LINCOLN OF most wonderful
memory. 1t will be remembered that the
convention was composed of many men who
although distinguished in their time, had, until
lately, not been very much known Each mem
Der was introduced by his surname, but in nine
cases out of ten Mr.. Lincoln would promptly
recall the entire name no matter how many
initials it contained. In several instances he
recited the historical "reminiscences of families.
When the tall General Doniphan. of Missouri
introduced, Mr. Lincoln had to look up
quired 7
Us this Donipnan who made that splendid
march across the plains, and swept the swift
Comanches before hm2"
Il commanded the expedition across the plains
modestly responded the General
Then you have comeup to the standard of my
expectations" replied Mr.. Lincoln
When Mr. Rives of Virginia was introduced,
Mr.. Lincoln said: II always had an idea you
were much taller man" He received James
B. Clay, son of the Kentucky statesman, with
marked attention, saying to him: II was friend
of your father" The interchange with Mr.. Bar
ringer, of North Carolina who was his colleague
in Congress, was very cordial. When Reverdy
Johnson was presented, he expressed great re-
joicing, remarking to him:
Il had to bid you good-by just at the time
when our intimacy had ripened to a point for me
to tell you my stories"
The Southern commissioners freely expressed
their qualification at his affability and easy man
ner and all joined in expressing agreeable dis
appointment at his good looks in contrast to his
pictures. Nothing was said by any one in regard
to the condition of the country or the national
troubles
After the reception Of the peace congress was
concluded, large number of citizens were pre-
scented. Mr.. Lincoln was then notified that the
ante-roomS and main saloons of the hotel were
filed with ladies, who desired to pay their re-
spects, to which the President elect very prompt
ly consented. The ladies then passed in review.
each being introduced by the gentleman who ac-
companied her Mr.. Lincoln underwent the new
ordeal with much good humor. AT haf-past IL
several gentlemen, with whom Mr.. Lincoln had
appointments, called ON him, and during the
next hour he remained invisible to all corners
save such as had special engagements with him
Afterward, he received visitors again till
2 p. NJ Among those who called on
him that day were Mr.. Steward, Gen. Cass and
ladies, Preston King, Senator Doolittle, Vice
president breckenridge, Gov. Powell of Ken
lucky; Com. Spaulding and others OF note. The
projected serenade to Mr.. Lincoln, prevented on
the following Saturday night by rain, was in
definitely postponed, at his suggestion The
Rev. Smyth Tyne who was the rector of ST.
Johns Episcopal Church. which Mr.. Lincoln at
tended on Sunday, preached an excellent sermon
from the text, l Corinthians vii 81: 'And they
that use this world as not abusing it; for the