, 1884-05-03
THE DAYS OF 1861.
The Unexpected Arrival of the Pres.
ident- Elect at Washington.
A significant Incident nj wiiIard's
HOteI---The Great Curiosity to
n Nee Mr. LIncoIn---The
IntrOduGtions.


lDtn. ItIlty TOOIc.l
The unexpected arrival of Mr.. Lincoln be.
.'ore his Inauguration, at Wizards hotel,
early in the morning, created quite a sensa-
tion when it became known at Washington
1t was not true, as was asserted, that be came
in disguise, although he wore II travelling cap
and shawl, which had been loaned him, and
which changed his appearance.
Mr.. Lincoln felt confident thar an attempt
was to have been made to RssassinAts him as
he passed through Baltimore. Among other
statements which confirmed him in this
opinion was one by Mr.. Chittenden of Yer
mont, afterwards register of the treasury.
Mr.. Chittenden was II delegate from the
state OF Vermont to the peace conference
which met in Washington in the month of
February, 1860, upon the invitation Of the
governor of Virginia In that convention
he happened to form the acquaintance OF
james b. Clay, of Kentucky, William A.
Seldom, Of Virginia afterwards the rebel
secretary of war, Governor Morehead
of Kentucky and othors. His scat
was near those gentlemen. One morn
ing, while sitting chatting with them
before the convention met, n servant
from the adjacent hotel entered and handed
a card to Mr.. Seldom, who sat near Mr..
Chittenden. He did not know what was on
the card, but IL was passed around from one
to the other in such a manner that he could
not help but see what was written on IL. On
the card was written these words: Lincoln
Is in Washington" He never saw such CON
fusion made by a small piece of card before.
They looked at each other with amazement.
At last Waldo Z. johnson, afterward a sem
ator from Missouri, who could control himself
no longer, exclaimed, with vehemencs, How
in the devil did he get through Baltimoref'
A few hours later the president-elect was
asked il he would receive the members Of the
peace congress and he said that no would.
Mr.. Lincoln, who had returned TO the hotel
from n 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. Ex-President Tylor and Gov
ernor Chnse led the van. The latter did the
honors, first Introducing Mr.. Tyler. Mr..
Lincoln received him with nil the respect due
to his position. The several delegates were
then presented by Governor Chase, in the
usual manner. The greatest curiosity was
manifested to witness this, Mr.. Lincoln's first
reception in Washington. The most notice
able thing that occurred was the manifesto
ton by Mr., Lincoln of n 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 muEn kuO"h. EuCu member
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 il contained. In several in
stances be recited the historical reminiscences
of families When the tall Gen. Doniphan
of Missouri was introduced, Mr.. Lincoln had
TO look up to catch Doniphan's eve. He
Immediately inquired:
as this D%oniphan, who made that splendid
march across the plains, and swept the swift
Comanches before hiinF'
al commanded the expedition across the
plains" modestly responded the general.
Then you have come up to the sta ndard
OF my expectation rejoined Mr.. Lincoln.
When Mr.. Rives, OF Virginia, was intro
duced. Mr.. Lincoln said: Al always had an
idea that you were a much taller man." He
received James b, Clay, sou Of the Ken
lucky statesman, with marked attention.,
saying to him; al was "a friend of your
father The interchange with Mr.. Bar
ringer OF North Carolina, who was his col
leage in congress was very cordial. When
Reveriy johnson was presented, he Expresses
great rejoicing, r%emarking to him:
II had to bid you goodbye just at the tim,
when our intimacy had ripened to a point fos
me to tell you my. stories"
The southern commissioner freely OF.
pressed their qualification at his affability
and easy manner. and all Joined in express
ing agreeable disappointment at his good
looks in contrast TO his pictures. Nothing
was said TO any one in regard to the condi-
ton Of the country or the national troubleG
After the reception of the peace congress was
concluded, a large number of citizens were
presented. Mr.. Lincoln was then notified
that the ante rooms and main saloons Of the
hotel were filed with ladies, who desired to
pay their respects, to which the president
elect very promptly consented. Tho ladies
then passed in review, each being introduced
by the gentleman who accompanied her.
Mr.. Lincoln underwent the new ordeal with
much good humor.