446

334. Ninian W. Edwards (William H. Herndon Interview).

[1865 — 66]

N W Edwards went to Washington in 1861 & 2 — says Lincoln read Shakespear Every Evening — not the Bible — Says he — Lincoln Enquired of no friend — : asked no questions about old friends — Mrs Edwards says he has no heart. Thinks Lincoln once told him he believed that the Bible &c was the Divine Revelation &c —

When he first came to City Edwards says Lincoln was a mighty Rough man — did much for Lincoln — was at Edwds house for 4 ys Every Sunday.

Edwards Says that he thinks that Lincoln was not a warm hearted man — Seemed to be ungrateful — was not — did not think — if brought home to him he would do what was right —

In Washington I saw Lincoln made twice — once at Wade & Sherman: they said for certain they would not speak to him: he said this was too hard — had done more for them than any two men in the nation —

Edwards thinks that he always thought L would be great man. Edwards made him promise that when he was Presdt he L would give him Edwds a good office.

447

Had I been Lincoln and had been taken in as Butler did Lincoln I certainly would have given him an office — [illegible] Butler got mad — Swore he would put L down — took up — B did to beat Lincoln — did it &c —

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2371; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:216 — 17

nts

Notes.

1. Presumably "mad."

2. William Butler (1797 — 1876) boarded and lodged AL when he first lived in Springfield.