Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-12
"REMINISCENCES OF LINCOLN.
How Gov. Pratt Secured His Sons Re
lease From Fort Monroe.

How Gov. Pratt Secured His Sons Re.
lease From Fort Monroe.
The approaching anniversary of the
birth of President Lincoln recalls to my
mind one incident which came under my
observation and which has never been
printed, said former Cong1 essman Henry
G. Worthington Of Nevada, now resident
of Washington, few nights ago.
Former Gov. Thomas G. Pratt of Mary
land was the first wing governor ever
elected by the people of that state. During
the war he was arrested by order of Sec
rotary Stanton and imprisoned at Fort
Monroe.
During Pratts confinement at Fort Mon
roe Lincoln and Secretary Seward paid a
visit to the fort on important business one
day While there Seward saw Pratt. They
had served in the United States Senate to-
gether There was feeling of personal
friendship between them, and Seward inter-
coded to have him released.
Just at the close of the war Pratts only
son was wounded and captured and held
prisoner at Fort Monroe. Pratt applied to
Stanton and Mr.. Dana, his assistant for
the release of alis son. 1t was very
promptly and without ceremony refused by
both.
Gov. Pratt then appealed to me for an
introduction to President Lincoln. l COM
piled with the request and went with him
to the White House and introduced him to
Lincoln. Lincoln grasped his hand cor
daily and expressed great delight in meet
ing him, as he was the first whig governor
elected in Maryland. You know Lincoln
was originally whig and a strong parti-
san "f
=. What can do for your the President
asked.
Pratt told him about the confinement of
his wounded son and appealed to the Pres
ident for his release.
THE President became very reflective,
a fey of 81 nd
thought, he asked Pratt if he would ex-
ercise proper control over the boy and
try to effect a change in his mind and con-
duct.
Pratt gave him every assurance, and.
after another long silence, the President
said:
Pratt, do you know what 1 was think
ing about"
Pratt did not
81 was thinking how I could comply
with your request and release this boy
without setting dangerous precedent or
being a detriment to the public service. l
am glad that it is in my power to do you
this favor but 1 shall hold you respon-
sible for the return of your son when called
for. you becoming bail for his good con-
Duct
to the officer in command at Fort Mon
roe to deliver to Governor Pratt his son,
Thomas Pratt, to be returned to the Presi-
dent when called for. He handed the card
TO IONGTnOT 6Fatt WIN the
Governor, teach your son to sin no
more
Governor Pratt was very much affected.
and as he arose to bid the President good
bye. he said:
Would to God, Mr. President, that the
southern people might see and know you
as have seen and known you today
'As we left the White House. tears gusll-
ed into the eyes of Governor Pratt. Trem-
bling with emotion, he grasped hold of my
arm to steady himself and keep from fall
ing.
This was the most interesting and af-
fecting incident of all my relations with
the dead President
Yes; I remember well the first time
met Lincoln. 1t was during the war that
1 was sent to Washington as the first rep
resentative from the new state of Nevada.
When l called to pay my respects at the
White House, the President cordially thrust
out one hand, and, placing the other on
my shoulder in a friendly way, said:
"1 am glad to meet the representative
from Nevada, and 1 am glad that we have
such n state as Nevada just now, a state
that is aiding US so much in paying off the
boys who are protecting our flag and coun-
try
'At that time silver was worth more than
at the present"