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355. Ward Hill Lamon (William H. Herndon Interview).

[1865 — 66]

Mr Lincoln would let in People indiscriminately — Members of Congress Could get to see him most any time — when possible. House opened from 7 o'cl am & 11 o'cl P.M.

He loved apples better than all Else — strong drink of Coffee — He loved oyesters —

He was passionately fond of fine Horses — He did love Tadds Catt — less Tadds goats — .

He was a hearty Eater — when hed had no passages he alwys had a sick head ache — Took Blue pills — blue Mass

He was as Sociable at Washington taking all things into Consideration as he was whilst in Springfield. — gloomy — uncheery at times — most of his life — The greater time of his life he was gloomy — but would in special times become Cheerful with Chums — and when they retired he would relaps —

Took but little physical Exercise —

He was generally good humored but at some times he would burst out — Women would Come to him sometime — He woud Scold them — saying — "You would Kill me now if you Could — and still you are asking favors of me — The would get up — Cry — start away and the Presdt would Call them back saying — Now if you go back South you will do some mischief — You would overturn the Government if you Coud" Still he would sit down — take up a little Square piece of Paper and write — To all Commanders — Let the bearer pass through our lines —


Lincoln wrote to but few persons — never wrote many letters.


Lincoln & Greely —

Greely had power over the Presdt.

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Mrs Lincoln struck Mr Lincoln in the face on a boat going to or at Richmond — Struck him hard — damned him — cursed him — Capt Stackpole told this W. H. Lamon —

Rufus Andrews Surveyor of the Port of N.Y.

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3760; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:76 — 77

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Notes.

1. Blue mass was a mercury preparation used as a laxative. See The Dispensatory of the United States of America (Philadelphia, 1883), 929 — 31. The editors are grateful to Professors James Harvey Young and David L. Cowen for this reference.

2. See §298, note 2.

3. A Radical Republican sympathizer of Salmon P. Chase, appointed surveyor of the Port of New York in April 1861 and removed in September 1864.

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